Why Nepa Makes Umbrellas from Fabric Scraps

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The eco-friendly activities of companies that 'think' about the environment are evolving into ways that 'act' for the environment. In the past, corporate eco-friendly activities were limited to slogans of 'environmental protection,' but now they are being practiced throughout the entire process, including product production, distribution, and marketing.

Outdoor brand NEPA is conducting the Rain Tree campaign under the name of an eco-friendly city creation project, making disposable vinyl umbrella covers from reusable scrap waterproof fabric. Now in its third season, this campaign initially aimed to convey its message to consumers by setting up wooden tree-shaped rain trees where Rain Tree covers could be dried and stored at specific locations. This year, it has further developed by linking weather forecasts with the campaign to add an element of fun.

Various and entertaining contents such as weather forecast-themed content, rain-related events, and Rain Tree certification photo events held on rainy days were planned to allow consumers to participate in the campaign more easily and interestingly. In addition, special Rain Tree goods containing tumblers, eco-bags, and Rain Tree covers that help reduce disposable product use were produced to encourage consumers to voluntarily participate in the campaign and naturally join eco-friendly activities.

Binggrae opened 'Danji Laundry' in July as an offline activity of the banana-flavored milk eco-friendly campaign 'Protect the Earth, Banana.' Danji Laundry was inspired by the fact that recyclable containers are often contaminated with contents, reducing recycling rates, and aims to convey the message of washing and separating waste for recycling to consumers.

This campaign focuses on the improper separation of recyclable waste and delivers the correct method of separation. Through social channels, Binggrae also ran a campaign explaining that since the materials of the banana-flavored milk container and lid differ, recycling is difficult if the lid is attached; therefore, the lid should be removed and separated for easier recycling.

Companies introducing eco-friendly processes not only in marketing but also in manufacturing and distribution are also noticeable. Jeju Samdasoo released the Pleats Mama Jeju Edition, an eco-friendly fashion item made by recycling PET bottles collected in Jeju into regenerated fibers. This product was created as part of the 'Rebirth, Return! Jeju Regional Resource Circulation Project,' jointly conducted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation, Jeju Province, Hyosung TNC, and Pleats Mama. It is the first time PET bottles collected domestically have been released as a product.

Jeju Development Corporation supplies the collected PET bottles to Hyosung TNC, which transforms them into high-quality filament fibers, and the eco-friendly fashion startup Pleats Mama uses these fibers to produce eco-friendly bags. This is gaining attention as an important indicator demonstrating the importance and potential of resource circulation.

Hyundai Home Shopping introduced the Finger Box, an eco-friendly delivery box made of 100% paper material without using adhesives, to reduce vinyl usage. The Finger Box is a 100% paper box that can be sealed without any adhesive and is characterized by simple assembly through paper folding.

After placing the delivery product inside the box, folding the side corresponding to the entrance causes the paper to interlock and close. When removing the product, inserting fingers into the perforated lines marked on the surface and pulling both sides allows the delivery box to be easily opened. Previously, Hyundai Home Shopping was the first in the industry to introduce a wing box using eco-friendly adhesive instead of vinyl tape last year.

Dong-A Pharmaceutical announced plans to replace the Bacchus vinyl bags, which were supplied free of charge to pharmacies for product promotion, with paper bags starting in the second half of the year. Bacchus sales representatives, who visit most pharmacies daily, supplied vinyl bags free of charge to promote the product and strengthen relationships with pharmacies. Since its first appearance in June 1991, this practice has continued for nearly 30 years, creating the formula 'pharmacy vinyl bag = Bacchus.' Dong-A Pharmaceutical plans to fully replace vinyl bags with paper bags, prioritizing social value by starting an environmental protection campaign.

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