Writer's note:  April 22 is Earth Day. The day was made to raise awareness about environmental pollution. This day has begun purely as a civil campaign, unlike the UN World Environment Day (June 5). Earth Day was made right after the offshore oil rig disasters in California, USA, in 1969, hoping that more people would be interested in environmental issues. Since then, they have facilitated various actions to raise awareness of climate change and the necessity of low-carbon life practices for reducing green gas at the industry level. Having the history behind it, I would like to report on how industries in Korea are taking the issue as we are facing the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day.

[Consumerwide_ HueSoung, Jun Reporter / Yohan, Bok Reporter] On the 22nd of April, celebrating the Day of Earth, the food, franchise, beverage, and car industries are initiating various environmental protection activities including pop-up and plogging.

The food, franchise, beverage, and car industries are initiating various environmental protection activities, including pop-up and plogging.

Starbucks Korea is running the 'Da-da-ik-sun campaign' (the more, the better) for the expansion of reusable cups this year in cooperation with the Greenfund as they are facing the Day of Earth. As a result of the 'Dadaiksun campaign' in 2022, last year, personal cup orders approached 2.3 million, which is a 53% increase from a year before during the same month. In the 1st quarter of this year, the personal cup order recorded 6.33 million, and it was a 15% increase from the same quarter in 2022. Since 2007, when Starbucks began to compile a record on personal cups, till this year, March, the accumulated number of reusable personal cups was recorded at 117.88 million.

The University student volunteer group of Chicken franchise BBQ, 'Olive Us' run an environmental cleaning plogging activity at the Hangang Banpo citizen's park on the 8th as they celebrate the Day of Earth. Olive Us has collected trash and cleaned the Banpo park area which covers Seoraesum to Mujigae-bunsu.

The 'Ji-gu-sik-dan' (earth menu) of Pulmuone is facilitating a popup store, 'Jigusikdan campus' at the Iparkmall Yongsan branch 6F 'Thecenter Thecorner big event hall' till 27th as they celebrate the Day of Earth. The 'Jigusikdan campus' is based on the concept of 'protecting the earth by consuming food'. In this corner, you can experience sustainability, which Pulmuone aims at, while tasting the core product of Pulmuone 'Jigusikdan'. Besides, various events are offered, like a Photobooth printing event, LIKE Luncheonmeat package making event. Also, you've a chance to get free Jigusikdan products if you visit the Jigusikdan campus after receiving a coupon through the Ipark membership. When you get a stamp after your visit to the Jigusikdan campus, you get a 10% discount voucher for the Pulmuone vegan restaurant, 'Plantude 2nd branch'.

Olgawholefood of Pulmuone is participating in the' Carbon neutralization point' system. 'Carbon neutralization point’ is a system facilitated by the Ministry of Environment that offers incentive points for daily activities that involve carbon neutralization practice. The system initially began to wide-spread carbon neutralization culture in Korea. Points are passed onto customers, whether cash or creditcard points, and maximum points are worth 70 thousand won for one year. Customers can receive a carbon neutralization point worth 1000 won for every eco-friendly product purchase exceeding 2000 won by using a green-card at the Olga green store.

McDonald's Korea, which is an initiative in environmental protection, has been approved for its eco-friendly activities including reduction of carbon dioxide and plastic. On the day of Earth, 22nd, McDonald's was rewarded by the minister of the Ministry of Environment. McDonald's has reduced 150 thousand kgs of CO2 through recycling and reborn of plastic waste which includes coffee grounds from the stores.

Last February, they also began using 'PET recycling outer' for new staff uniforms. The PET recycling outer is made of plastic lids waste from the stores. In addition, McDonald's has constructed a virtuous circle system which involves manufacturing coffee grounds for livestock feed using post-treatment, and the cow who's raised with the feed providing milk and icecream for the stores. In the process, they are expecting the reduction effect of green emissions and 4,394 kgs of carbon emissions in a year. Through inventing a drink lid, 'Ttu-kkeong-ie', which doesn't need a straw, McDonald's has reduced 136.5 tons of plastic use. The idea for Ttukkeongie is the first invention in industry history. Till 2025, McDonald's Korea is aiming to transfer all the packing materials to recyclable materials. McDonald's Korea has announced their major ESG activity video through their official SNS channels as they celebrate the Day of Earth on that day. (Youtube and instagram)

Among the beverage industry, OB beer began actions. As OB beer celebrates the Day of Earth, they are facilitating a 'Cancrush' campaign, which aims to increase the recycling rate of aluminium cans, during a month. The 'Cancrush' is a citizen participation campaign that certifies by taking a photo of crushed aluminium cans after drinking through the 'Code Green Square' app. Each 'Cancrush' mission is rewarded with 3 thousand mileage. Among the participants, 10 participants got a box of 'Cass 0.0', a non-alcoholic drink. Mileages can be used for purchasing eco-friendly products in Code Green Square. 

The car industry was putting off light for an hour...environmental protection workshops. Volvo Car Korea has been involved with various eco-friendly activities for the sustainability of the earth, which include eco-friendly character 'Soonrogie' activity missions and the 'Earth Hour' participation last March. Earth Hour is an Earth lighting-off campaign. On the Day of Earth, 22nd, between 8 and 9 pm, they are turning off all the lights, excluding indispensable lights(interior and exterior) from all the exhibition halls and service centers and the office in the domestic area.

Toyota Motor Corporation Korea is also participating in the light off (interior and exterior) campaign on the same day, and hour, at the 56 Lexus and Toyota dealer exhibition halls in the domestic area. Essential lights are excluded. 'Connect To', a complex cultural space in Lexus, is participating in the Day of Earth light-off event, but only for 10 minutes.

Earlier, on the 20th, Volkswagen Group Korea facilitated an environmental education and workshop for staff as they celebrated the Day of Earth. The workshop was held as a 'Remember Me'(#Nal Gieokhaejuer) project as a part of the social contribution business in relation to the Project1Hour campaign. (* '날'[nal] has a dual meaning in Korean; 'Day', and 'of Me') On that day, staff and executive had a time of getting to know of what climate change does to biodiversity. Afterwards, they shared environmental protection ideas in personal and business aspects.

Kia is hosting an air-quality improvement campaign, 'Change the Colors', as they celebrate the Day of Earth. During the campaign, Kia is renting electric cars for Tier 4 to 5 level Diesel car owners while supporting the gas emission-reducing equipment repair for the old Diesel cars. When the old diesel car owners change their car to an eco-friendly car after scrapping the old one, they support them with funds. The projects initially aimed at the reduction of gas emissions.

Among the cigarette industry, only BAT Rothmans has participated in the Day of Earth...making flower gardens.

BAT Rothmans has begun an environmental protection campaign, 'Kkot BAT', in cooperation with 'International Union for Conservation of Nature' for the Day of Earth. (flower garden: 'Bat' has a meaning of garden/field in Korean)

The campaign title is a mixed word of 'flower' and 'garden'. This project is based on a nudge theory that people would guard themselves against the action of throwing away trash carelessly in an area where that has frequent illegal trash which includes cigarette butts. By encouraging people to stop trashing willingly in a beautiful place, they are trying to clean the environment and improve the beauty of the city. Some analyze that BAT Rothmans is advancing in ESG management so far by practicing various activities which aim for sustainable development, including carbon emission reduction and water resource management. The activities involve ‘Glo eco-packaging,’ ‘Eco-friendly machine collecting program', ‘Staff and executive eco-plogging,’ and ‘Hands-on volunteer activities’.

The majority of businesses that stood out for the Day of Earth along with environmental activities said that they would like to continually get involved in practicing eco-friendly management while taking responsibility as a leading business.