Gwangju Fire Department to Produce Recycled Firefighter Gear Products... All Profits Donated

119REO, National Asia Culture Center, and Asia Culture Institute Join Hands

Firefighter turnout gear, bearing the marks of fierce battles fought at fire scenes, is reborn as a new product. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City Fire Safety Headquarters

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Firefighters' turnout gear, bearing the marks of their fierce battles at fire scenes, is being reborn as new products.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Fire Safety Headquarters announced on the 12th that it has signed a recycling business agreement for used turnout gear with 119REO Co., Ltd., the National Asia Culture Center, and the Asia Culture Institute.

119REO is a company that manufactures new products by recycling used turnout gear.

Turnout gear worn by firefighters at fire and disaster scenes is disposed of for safety reasons once it passes the legally mandated durability period of three years.

The main component of the turnout gear is 'meta-aramid,' a special fiber resistant to water and fire. Although the turnout gear has reached the end of its service life, it was conceived that the fabric is still suitable as a useful material for new everyday products.

A chair made using discarded firefighting suits. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City Fire Safety Headquarters

When the Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters provides used turnout gear that has passed the legal durability period free of charge every year, 119REO manufactures new products, and the National Asia Culture Center handles distribution and sales.

All profits generated from product sales will be donated to injured firefighters and marginalized groups.

Choi Mincheol, head of the city’s Fire Safety Headquarters, said, “Turnout gear that protected firefighters’ lives at fire scenes can be reborn as a reliable supporter,” adding, “We expect this to also help improve environmental awareness through resource recycling.”

Meanwhile, the National Asia Culture Center will hold a photo exhibition featuring various products made from used turnout gear and images of firefighters’ field activities from the 20th to the 22nd.

The manufactured products will be available for purchase at the National Asia Culture Center and other locations starting on the 20th.

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