Social Enterprise Usisan Launches New 'Upcycling Goods' Turtle and Seahorse Dolls

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] Social enterprise Usisan, sponsored by SK Innovation, has released new endangered marine animal dolls including seahorses and turtles following whales.

Usisan, an eco-friendly social enterprise and venture company, has launched two new dolls themed on Ulleungdo seahorses called 'Byeoldeulpo' seahorse doll and turtles called 'Byeolbada'.

The seahorse doll 'Byeoldeulpo' is named after Jeongdeulpo in Ulleungdo, where Dokdo is visible. Seahorses are marine creatures classified as internationally endangered level 2, with their population decreasing daily due to marine pollution such as plastics.

Since joining Ulleung County's 'Agwig (I Green We Green) Campaign' in July last year, which declared Ulleungdo a plastic-free island, Usisan has been steadily releasing plastic upcycling products emphasizing environmental protection of Ulleungdo.

The turtle doll 'Byeolbada' is named after Daewangam in Dong-gu, Ulsan, which holds a legend that Queen Munmu of the Silla Dynasty became a guardian dragon and submerged. Around Daewangam, there is a rock resembling a turtle called Turtle Rock, which has long been a symbol of good fortune and represents Daewangam.

Sea turtles have also recently been losing their habitats due to marine pollution, so this release aims to raise awareness of this reality and protect the precious marine animal, the turtle.

Recently, on the 101st anniversary of the March 1st Movement, Usisan collaborated with Dokdo Stationery, a social venture company in Ulleungdo, to release a Dokdo sea lion doll, which gained great popularity.

Along with the launch of these upcycled dolls, Usisan is holding special exhibitions such as 'Hello Whale' at Jangsaengpo Whale Museum, 'Hello Seahorse' in collaboration with Ulleungdo Dokdo Stationery, and 'Hello Turtle' at Daewangam Ainuri Park in Dong-gu. These exhibitions also provide environmental education to future generations on proper plastic separation and reducing single-use products.

Byun Eui-hyun, CEO of Usisan, said, "We hope the importance of marine environmental protection will be widely recognized through the endangered or pollution-affected marine animal dolls such as whales, turtles, and seahorses that Usisan has released so far," adding, "Usisan will continue to take the lead in raising awareness about the need to protect various marine animals." Usisan plans to release additional endangered marine animal dolls such as albatrosses in the future.

Along with the new doll release, Usisan is currently conducting crowdfunding on the platform 'Tumblbug' from the 20th, offering a set of plastic bags and dolls at a 40% discount from the regular price.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.