Gyeonggi-do Launches Leftover Reduction Campaign from 19th... Responding to Climate Crisis and Cutting Food Material Costs

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo after being the first to participate in the leftover food elimination challenge on the 19th.

Gyeonggi Province launched a ‘Leftover Food Reduction Practice’ campaign in its cafeteria starting on the 19th. This initiative follows a proposal from the 'Gyeonggi Provincial Government 3rd Red Team,' which critically reviews provincial administration and seeks alternatives.

Earlier, on the 14th, the 3rd Red Team suggested the ‘Leftover Food Reduction Practice’ campaign to Governor Kim Dong-yeon at the open provincial administration meeting, highlighting both the economic benefits of saving food ingredients and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from food waste treatment.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon promptly accepted the proposal and decided to promote the campaign to ensure its success and to raise awareness among employees.

Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province designated February as the ‘Leftovers! Out!’ practice period and launched the ‘Clean Tray’ certification photo challenge starting on the 19th.

On the day, Governor Kim had lunch with employees in the cafeteria and participated as the first challenger in the ‘Clean Tray’ certification photo challenge.

Governor Kim said, "The Gyeonggi Province cafeteria serves meals to over hundreds, about 1,000 people daily. Starting today, we are launching the ‘Eliminate Leftovers’ campaign. I took on the challenge as the first participant and cleared my tray without any leftovers."

He added, "I will nominate five provincial government employees by rank as the next challengers. I hope that by eliminating leftovers starting from our cafeteria, we can reduce costs and waste, and initiate proactive measures to address the climate crisis beginning at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government."

The five individuals nominated by Governor Kim as the next challengers are Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province Administration 2, Cha Seong-su, Director of the Climate Environment and Energy Bureau, Eom Gi-jin, Welfare Team Leader, Kang Min-chan, Administrative Officer, and Choi Dong-ho, Administrative Officer. They will post their ‘Clean Tray’ certification photos on their social media and each nominate five more challengers to continue the certification photo challenge.

Alongside the certification photo event, Gyeonggi Province will select outstanding employees practicing ‘Leftovers! Out!’ throughout February and offer various events such as providing snacks.

Additionally, promotional activities will be carried out, including ▲panel exhibitions in the cafeteria and daily leftover food status boards ▲separate operation of dish return stations based on leftover presence ▲production of videos promoting ‘Leftover Food Reduction Practice.’

Gyeonggi Province will operate ‘Leftovers! Out! Day’ on the first and third Fridays of every month to maintain the ongoing ‘Leftover Food Reduction Practice’ campaign.

Besides the ‘Leftover Food Reduction Practice,’ the 3rd Red Team’s pointed issues such as ‘routine weekly report writing’ and ‘frequent changes in governor-attended events and schedules’ will be reflected in provincial administration improvements.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon urged, "Except in unavoidable cases, let’s stop writing reports. If necessary, please write them briefly with only the title and key points. From the perspective of responding to climate change, let’s do this without paper."