[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, has launched a campaign to promote the purchase of green products to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 ahead of schedule and increase eco-friendly consumption.
Green products are those that minimize environmental impact during the usage phase and reduce environmental restoration costs, thereby minimizing social costs. These include eco-label certified products and excellent recycled (GR) mark products, as well as low-carbon products that consider reducing harmful substances, human safety, energy saving, water saving, recycling, and low noise throughout the manufacturing, distribution, usage, and disposal processes.
According to the city on the 21st, last year’s green product purchase rate was 32.3%, and this year the target is set at 40.5%, leading the way in purchasing green products.
The city assigns dedicated staff to achieve the green product purchase implementation plan in affiliated organizations such as the main office, business offices, branch offices, eup/myeon/dong (township/neighborhood) offices, and the Urban Development Corporation, and checks the implementation performance semiannually.
Each institution purchases recycled paper, office supplies, eco-friendly disposable products, recycled products, etc., from the dedicated purchasing site called ‘Noksaek Jangteo’ (Green Market). In addition, the use of recycled asphalt concrete is encouraged in various construction projects, and green construction materials are prioritized when requesting procurement of government-supplied materials.
Lee Yong-gyu, Director of the Water Quality Environment Division, said, “We will take the lead in creating an eco-friendly green city through the purchase of green products and strive to spread the culture of green consumption not only in public institutions but also in the private sector.”
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