Save Resources with Upcycling! ... Songpa-gu Hosts 'Upcycling Expo'

[Seoul District News] Songpa-gu to Hold Event at Seongnaecheon Water Playground on October 29 & Diverse Activities from Upcycled Goods Exhibition to Market and Experiences... Seongheon Lee, Seodaemun-gu Mayor, to Start November with Cleaning Around Traditional Markets on November 1

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seogang Seok) will hold the ‘Upcycling EXPO’ at Seongnaecheon Water Playground from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 29.

The district minimizes waste generation by recycling 50% of waste, but due to the limitations of recyclable waste and secondary pollution, it is paying attention to the recently emerging alternative called ‘upcycling.’

Upcycling is a method of resource circulation that redesigns useless items to give them new uses and value.

Accordingly, the district is holding the ‘Upcycling EXPO’ for the first time this year to expand social awareness of upcycling and promote the importance of resource circulation.

Under the theme ‘Our Upcycling Time,’ various programs such as exhibitions, sales, and experiences to spread a culture of virtuous resource circulation will be held.

▲ Photo exhibition highlighting waste issues and the necessity of waste separation ▲ Exhibition introducing upcycled products made from waste resources (bicycle wheels, discarded furniture, etc.) ▲ Exchange and sales market for unused household items ▲ Zero-waste market featuring natural loofahs and sochang products ▲ ‘Let’s Go’ jump rope experience made by twisting discarded banners will engage residents.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage, which signed a business agreement to expand transparent PET bottle recycling last November, will also participate in this event. Participants who listen to explanations about the separate disposal system for transparent PET bottles and waste vinyl, fully implemented in December 2021, and answer quizzes will receive sweatshirts made from transparent PET bottles and label-free bottled water, encouraging proper waste separation.

In addition, the district operates the ‘Songpa-gu Upcycling Center,’ a resource circulation complex space, providing cost-effective secondhand goods to residents and spreading a culture of saving resources in daily life through tool experiences and upcycling education.

Seogang Seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “We must now move beyond merely recycling discarded resources and enter an upcycling era that adds value to save resources,” adding, “We will continue to strive to discover related projects to activate the reuse culture among residents and take the lead in creating a sustainable resource circulation society.”

Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, will transform into a street environment cleaner and clean the area around Pobangteo Market in Hong Eun 1-dong from 7 a.m. on November 1.

About 70 people, including neighborhood association leaders, members of local functional organizations, residents, and public officials, will participate in the cleaning.

Participants will focus on cleaning fallen leaves along the streets, illegally dumped trash, and maintaining roadside flower pots.

They will also conduct a ‘Proper Waste Disposal Campaign’ targeting residents, providing guidance on household waste disposal days and methods for disposing of recyclables and kimchi-making waste.

Earlier, on the 18th of this month, Mayor Lee also cleaned the area along Hongjecheon Stream with residents for about an hour starting at 7 a.m. and participated in a joint public-private-police inspection of illegal cameras and emergency bells in public restrooms.

The mayor plans to participate in about ten such cleaning field duties by the end of this year.

Mayor Lee Seongheon said, “I thank the residents who will join the early morning large-scale cleaning around Pobangteo Market, and I ask for continued interest and cooperation to make Seodaemun-gu clean and pleasant.”

Meanwhile, Seodaemun-gu has doubled the operation frequency of four vacuum street sweepers this fall compared to last year to responsibly collect roadside fallen leaves, and to prevent safety accidents, street cleaners are focusing on cleaning sidewalks.

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