Discovery Expedition Launches 'Jeju Recycle Edition'
Utilizing 2 Tons of Waste Plastic Discarded Along Jeju Coast
Discovery Expedition is launching an eco-friendly T-shirt made from discarded plastic waste collected along the coast of Jeju.
Fashion brand Discovery Expedition, operated by F&F, announced on the 16th that it will release the "Jeju Recycle Edition" to protect the global environment. This product is a T-shirt made from plastic waste collected along the coast of Jeju. It embodies the concept of resource circulation, where resources are not consumed once but reborn as clothing.
Actor Byeon Woo-seok, the Discovery Expedition Ambassador, wearing the Jeju Recycle Edition. [Photo by F&F]
The raw materials used in the four types of short-sleeve T-shirts in the Jeju Recycle Edition are plastic waste collected from the coastal areas of Jeju. The collection of plastic waste such as transparent PET bottles is handled by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation, which produces Jeju Samdasoo, and the production of recycled fabric is undertaken by Hyosung TNC, a chemical fiber company. In September last year, F&F signed a business agreement with Jeju Development Corporation and Hyosung TNC to expand the Jeju marine plastic waste resource circulation system.
F&F focused on the fact that the increase in global plastic usage poses a significant threat to marine environments and ecosystems. In particular, environmental issues caused by plastic waste have emerged as one of the major concerns in Jeju as well. Plastic waste around the coast (such as water bottles) is at high risk of being carried into the sea by wind and waves, so collecting it in advance is effective in preventing marine pollution and reducing underwater microplastics. The total amount of plastic waste used to make the clothing this time is 2 tons.
Additionally, the graphic artist group "MANECREW," based in Jeju, collaborated to highlight the meaning of Jeju as the origin of this T-shirt. The artwork expresses Jeju’s landmarks, activities, and resource circulation efforts such as plogging, conveying the significance of resource circulation and marine environmental protection.
The Jeju Recycle Edition by Discovery Expedition is available at the official online mall and nationwide offline stores.
An F&F representative said, "We hope to contribute even a little to the preservation of Jeju’s marine environment, one of Korea’s representative clean areas, through the establishment of a circular economy model involving resource collection and recycled product production." They added, "Besides this project, F&F will continue various activities to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion business and strive for a sustainable environment and society."
Meanwhile, since 2022, F&F has been running a project that transforms unsold clothing stock into recycled furniture instead of incinerating it. Furniture reborn from clothing stock, such as bookshelves and desks, has been donated to child welfare facilities. In 2022, a total of 240 pieces of furniture including bookshelves, desks, and storage units were donated to 23 child use and living facilities, and in 2023, 226 bookshelves were delivered to six child living facilities in the metropolitan area.
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