Yangsan City in South Gyeongsang Province will hold a free fresh flower giveaway event on October 5 and 6, following the previous Lunar New Year, to encourage the use of fresh flowers and reduce the use of artificial flowers in park cemeteries, aiming to promote eco-friendly memorial practices during this year's Chuseok holiday.
Plastic artificial flowers, when left unattended for long periods, weather and generate microplastics, polluting the air and soil, as well as increasing waste. In 2020 alone, approximately 177 tons of plastic artificial flowers were generated at park cemeteries in South Gyeongsang Province, causing environmental harm.
The fresh flowers for the giveaway event are provided by the Korea Flower Promotion Association, which has signed an agreement with South Gyeongsang Province and park cemeteries to eliminate the use of artificial flowers. Yangsan City and Seokgye Park Cemetery will distribute a total of 1,400 bouquets of fresh flowers for free to visitors at Seokgye Park Cemetery over two days, from 9 a.m. until supplies last on both October 5 and 6. The event will be promoted through various channels, including the city website, social media, and electronic displays.
In addition, to coincide with the Chuseok memorial season, Yangsan City will advise florists near park cemeteries to refrain from using unnecessary disposable packaging when selling fresh flowers. From September 26 to October 2, the city will send official notices and make direct visits to related florists to request their cooperation.
This initiative aims to encourage citizens to minimize packaging when using fresh flowers for memorial visits and to help establish an eco-friendly memorial culture.
A Yangsan City official stated, "Using fresh flowers instead of artificial ones is not just about changing memorial customs, but is a small action and an important choice for protecting a clean environment. We especially hope that even when using fresh flowers, citizens will reduce unnecessary disposable packaging to help spread eco-friendly memorial practices. Yangsan City will continue to make various efforts with our citizens to create a pleasant living environment."
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