Myeongdong Wages 'War on Cigarette Butts' with Plogging Activity alongside Shinhan DS

"We Will Continue to Promote Public-Private Cooperation"

Myeongdong in Jung-gu, Seoul announced on the 20th that it held a 'plogging' activity on the 16th in the area around the Shinhan DS headquarters, as well as in Dadong, Mugyodong Food Culture Street, and near Cheonggyecheon. A total of 32 people participated in this activity, including staff from the Myeongdong Community Center, Shinhan DS employees, and CleanCodi.

Commemorative photo of Myeongdong Community Center residents, Shinhan DS employees, and CleanCodi after the Myeongdong plogging event held on the 16th. Courtesy of Jung-gu.

This plogging event was part of the 'War on Cigarette Butts' campaign declared in Myeongdong in 2023. Shinhan DS, an affiliate of Shinhan Financial Group, is the seventh local company in Myeongdong to participate. Due to the area's high foot traffic and concentration of businesses, Myeongdong is particularly vulnerable to illegal cigarette butt littering.

In response, Myeongdong has been conducting plogging activities with local companies, focusing on areas near businesses that are prone to illegal dumping. The goal is to raise awareness among smokers within companies and to foster a culture of cleanliness throughout the community.

Shinhan DS actively participates by regularly conducting its own plogging activities once a week. The company has also expressed its commitment to expand the scope of these activities and the number of participants in partnership with Myeongdong, aiming to create a cleaner environment in the area.

Meanwhile, since officially launching the 'War on Cigarette Butts' in 2023, Myeongdong has been steadily promoting the campaign. That same year, a residents' council was formed, and portable cigarette butt holders were produced with sponsorship funds and distributed to smokers in areas vulnerable to illegal dumping.

Last year, 'Ggongeopick' (cigarette butt collection boxes) were installed in vulnerable areas, and a campaign was conducted in cooperation with five companies, laying the foundation for public-private collaboration. This year, Jeonjinsang Spiritual Center and Shinhan DS have joined, further expanding the campaign's reach.

Kim Yangsim, head of Myeongdong in Jung-gu, stated, "There are limits to what local governments can do alone to address illegal dumping, so voluntary participation from local stakeholders, including businesses, is crucial. We will continue to work with various private sector partners to create a cleaner street environment."