Creating a Plastic and Single-Use Free Circular Economy in Mokpo: 'Freehadang'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] The Jeonnam Regional Problem Solving Platform hosted the ‘Free Hadang’ event, organized by the Free Hadang Promotion Committee formed to create a plastic- and single-use item-free Mokpo, which was held on the 22nd at Hadang Sarang Square in Mokpo City.

The event started with a busking performance at 1:30 PM and continued until 5 PM. Various programs were operated, including a ‘Citizen Market’ where citizens sold unused items, an ‘Environmental Market’ for exchanging, donating, or experiencing recyclable goods, a local eco-friendly agricultural products market, a zero-waste market where detergent was dispensed into brought containers, and a ‘Local Market’ selling social economy upcycled products.

Additionally, banners and signboards used at the ‘Free Hadang’ event were upcycled by environmental activists who carefully repurposed discarded banners stitch by stitch, striving to minimize carbon emissions caused by the event. Although about 1,000 citizens visited the venue, waste generation was only about one-third of a 10L bag, achieving the goal of a zero-waste event.

A Free Hadang official stated, “The war against plastic and carbon emissions to respond to the climate crisis can only be won through citizen participation and changes in awareness. Free Hadang is the starting point, and with citizens’ involvement, we will create a powerful and unstoppable movement.”