Starting in January 2026, the Ministry of Science and ICT, in partnership with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Environmental Foundation, and Philip Morris International (PMI), will launch a new system for collecting used IQOS heated tobacco devices.
Consumers will be able to place their used devices in special collection envelopes, available at postal service offices, and drop them off at postal counters or mailboxes around the country. The collected devices will then be sent to waste recycling facilities for processing.
This new system targets to cater to the issue of heated tobacco devices and e-cigarettes being thrown away as regular waste due to unclear disposal norms. The Postal Service believes this re-collection system will help lower environmental pollution and increase the recycling of valuable materials like rare metals, contributing to a more sustainable, circular economy.
In a separate release, KT&G introduced a special holiday edition of their lil Hybrid 3.0 device called the Misty Rosé Limited Edition.
With a minimalist rose-colored design and packaging featuring a soft gradient, this limited edition device will be sold in lil brand stores, convenience stores, and online. Only 20,000 units will be available, priced at ₩78,000 (about $53) in direct channels and ₩88,000 (about $60) in convenience stores. The lil Hybrid 3.0 offers three modes: Standard, Classic, and Casual, and uses both a liquid cartridge and a stick.