Jeollanam-do Province in South Korea successfully implements an initiative to eliminate disposable items at festivals, resulting in a significant reduction in waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Jeollanam-do Province Implements Eco-Friendly Initiative to Reduce Waste at Festivals
( Credit to: Mk )
Jeollanam-do Province in South Korea has successfully implemented an eco-friendly initiative to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions at festivals. This initiative, known as the 'Making a Festival Without Disposable Items' initiative, has been implemented at two festivals this year, resulting in significant positive outcomes.
( Credit to: Mk )
As part of the initiative, Jeollanam-do Province provided sterilized and cleaned multi-use containers, including plates and cups, at the Gwangyang Apricot Festival and the Gurye Mountain Milk Festival. The use of disposable products for selling food has been banned, and only multi-use containers are permitted, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.
The results of this initiative have been impressive. Jeollanam-do Province estimates a waste reduction of 17.2 tons and a greenhouse gas reduction of 80 tons. This reduction is equivalent to the greenhouse gases absorbed by approximately 9,000 30-year-old pine trees in just one year.
Building on the success of these two festivals, Jeollanam-do Province plans to continue implementing the 'Making a Festival Without Disposable Items' initiative in other festivals throughout the region. By selecting one festival from each of the 22 cities and counties in the province, they aim to further promote sustainability and reduce waste.
The upcoming 'Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival' will also embrace this eco-friendly approach, with food booths providing only two to three single dishes and using multi-use cups for tasting. This demonstrates Jeollanam-do Province's commitment to establishing environmentally friendly festival venues.
Choi Jae-hwa, head of the environmental policy division in Jeollanam-do, expressed satisfaction with the positive response from both locals and tourists. He emphasized that Jeollanam-do Province will continue striving for eco-friendly festivals in the future, building on the success of the first year of implementing the 'Making a Festival Without Disposable Items' initiative.