DAY on the 19th: Bringing Tumblers and Airtight Containers, Uncomfortable but Environmentally Beneficial! ... 'Iro-um Daily Almang Shop' and 'Environmental Experience Booth' with Zero Waste Spots
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Seoyangho) announced that on June 19th, in celebration of Environment Month, it held the 'Uncomfortable Benefit DAY' event at the Jung-gu Education Support Center Iro-um and Donghwa Community Park, drawing significant attention to environmental protection.
Abnormal climate phenomena have been worsening every year, and with the spread of COVID-19 making non-face-to-face interactions the norm, the use of disposable products has increased significantly.
In response, residents who felt discomfort from excessive disposable products and waste, prepared to act for the environment, enjoyed the 'Uncomfortable Benefit DAY' event together, which might be a little 'uncomfortable' but is 'beneficial' to the environment.
The Jung-gu Education Support Center Iro-um collaborated with Almang Store, a popular spot in Mangwon-dong, to open a 'One-day Almang Store' pop-up shop. It provided an opportunity for local residents to see and purchase eco-friendly products such as plastic alternatives like bulk detergents, bamboo toothbrushes, jujube spoon rests, as well as natural scrubbers and laundry soap, gaining popularity among the community.
Almang Store is a zero-waste shop selling unpackaged goods, upcycled products (recycled items enhanced with design and functionality), reusable items, and refillable daily necessities, introduced with the phrase "Throw away the shell, only the core comes." It has recently become a popular place among environmentally conscious people in their 20s and 30s.
Additionally, to convey messages and methods for the environment and to practice together, various environmental experience booths were set up, including ▲ Book Talk! Talk!, a time to discuss environmental books ▲ Outdoor library with environmental and climate-related book curation ▲ Making eco-friendly garlands from discarded book covers ▲ Making eco-friendly EM enzyme ▲ Selling lettuce and cherry tomatoes harvested from the Iro-um garden ▲ Creating upcycled flower pots using coffee capsules ▲ Environmental riddles quiz, where residents participated together.
On the day of the event, anyone who brought a tumbler to the Edu Cafe in the basement level 1 of Iro-um received a 1,000 won discount, and participants who collected stamps from five experience booths and brought empty containers were provided free snacks at Edu Cook.
Furthermore, to overcome the climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the district is conducting 'Visiting Carbon Neutral Education' for local elementary schools and 'Basic Green Leader Training' for community leaders until the end of October.
'Visiting Carbon Neutral Education' involves environmental education instructors visiting schools in the area to raise awareness about the seriousness of global warming and focus on education to practice carbon neutrality in daily life.
After prior application, education is ongoing at 10 kindergartens and elementary schools. The program covers climate change phenomena and causes, proper energy use in daily life, and includes hands-on activities such as making EM soap and solar kits tailored to students' levels.
'Basic Green Leader Training' is an online education program designed to enable adults, including foreigners, and community leaders such as neighborhood heads to act as mentors on environmental issues.
Recruitment is scheduled for July through the district website and community centers. Any residents interested in practicing environmental actions in daily life can apply.
The program includes theoretical education on causes and responses to climate change, government policies such as eco mileage, and practical experience in making eco-friendly products. Completed eco-friendly products will be donated to senior centers, village halls, and other local communities.
District Mayor Seoyangho said, "In celebration of Environment Month, I hope this event and educational programs will share the seriousness of climate issues directly connected to our lives and provide an opportunity to practice carbon neutrality in daily life," adding, "Our district will continue various efforts to realize carbon neutrality."
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