2550 Abandoned Banners Transformed into Benches and Pergolas at Incheon Grand Park

Animal-shaped bench made from discarded banners [Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Discarded old banners have been transformed into benches and pergolas, providing rest areas for citizens.

On the 16th, Incheon City announced that it had recycled 2,550 old banners (1.53 tons) into fiber panels, which were then used as building materials to create animal-shaped benches and minibus-shaped pergolas (shade structures) installed at Incheon Grand Park Zoo.

The banners are mainly made of polyester, a plastic synthetic fiber that is difficult to decompose naturally. Most are incinerated, releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases and causing environmental pollution.

In response, the city signed an agreement in July with NH Nonghyup Bank Incheon Headquarters and the Korea Environment Corporation to upcycle old banners.

Additionally, the city received 70 million KRW from the Community Chest of Korea for a community network project budget, and 10 million KRW in prize money for being selected as an excellent local government in this year’s Ministry of Environment’s 'Local Government Old Banner Recycling Plan Evaluation.' These funds were used to create 11 citizen convenience facilities, including benches and pergolas.

The city expects these facilities to be educationally beneficial by showing children visiting the zoo that discarded resources can be used valuably.

An Incheon city official stated, "Building on this pilot project, we will strive to improve awareness and participation in upcycling among citizens and businesses to make resources more valuable."

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