Rainwater Drains Are Not Ashtrays!

Gangnam-gu Launches Campaign to Protect Storm Drains

Gangnam-gu Volunteer Center Partners with 22 Neighborhoods Until September to Clean Storm Drains on Side Streets and Raise Awareness of ‘Storm Drains as the Start of the Ocean’

The District to Attach Anti-Cigarette Butt Littering Slogans on 300 Storm Drain Curbstones by August 10

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jo Seongmyeong) is conducting an awareness campaign titled ‘Storm Drains are the Start of the Ocean’ in 22 neighborhoods until September to prevent the illegal disposal of cigarette butts into storm drains.

Additionally, the district will attach campaign slogans to 300 storm drain curbstones by August 10.

Due to recent abnormal weather patterns, including concentrated heavy rainfalls of 100mm per hour, managing storm drains has become more important than ever to prevent flooding and water damage. Gangnam-gu has a total of 40,587 storm drains installed, and this year, a dedicated team of 15 members has been formed to manage storm drains in five flood-prone areas in groups of three. However, cigarette butt littering in storm drains continues in high foot traffic areas such as Gangnam Station and Seolleung Station, highlighting the need for a large-scale awareness campaign.

Gangnam-gu Volunteer Center and 22 Neighborhoods Collaborate on ‘Storm Drains are the Start of the Ocean’ Campaign

The ‘Storm Drains are the Start of the Ocean’ campaign, planned by the Gangnam-gu Volunteer Center, aims to change public perception of storm drains to prevent flooding caused by illegal dumping and ultimately reduce marine pollution. Volunteers open storm drain covers to clean out cigarette butts and trash, then attach fish stickers next to the drains. By placing highly visible fish head and tail design stickers on both sides of the storm drains, the drains creatively appear like fish bodies, catching the eye. These fish stickers are made from aluminum graphic material, making them resistant to dirt and strongly adhesive even when applied to roads.

The center is working together with 22 neighborhoods to carry out the campaign. So far, in five neighborhoods including Samsung 2-dong, Nonhyeon 1-dong, Cheongdam-dong, Daechi 4-dong, and Suseo-dong, community leaders, residents, and youth volunteers have completed work on 384 storm drains. The campaign is scheduled for Yeoksam 1-dong on July 27 and Gaepo 2-dong on August 1, with plans to continue in other neighborhoods according to local conditions until September. The center also plans to encourage participation from local businesses to sustain the campaign.

Anyone can participate in this campaign. Those interested can contact the Gangnam-gu Volunteer Center or check detailed information on the 1365 Volunteer Sharing Portal.

District Creates and Attaches Anti-Cigarette Butt Littering Slogans on 300 Storm Drain Curbstones

The district is producing and attaching slogans prohibiting cigarette butt littering on 300 storm drain curbstones along main and side roads. To prevent cigarette butts from being thrown into storm drains from a distance, the slogans are placed on curbstones where they are highly visible.

The slogans include three messages: ▲ “I wish you were a no-smoking zone too” ▲ “The cigarette butts I throw cause road flooding in our neighborhood” ▲ “The cigarette butts I throw come back as floods.” The attachments are planned to be completed by August 10. The slogan designs were donated by KPR Public, a public PR communication specialist brand.

Previously, the district installed 100 yellow boxes on storm drains around Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, Apgujeong Rodeo, Garosu-gil, and Hanti Station areas, and 16 integrated permeable gratings near Yeoksam Station and Seolleung Station.

Jo Seongmyeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “The public and private sectors are working together to prevent littering in storm drains,” and added, “I hope many people participate in raising awareness about storm drains so we can create a cleaner and safer Gangnam-gu together.”

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