[Consumerwide - Jinil Kang Reporter / Yohan Bok Reporter]  Many environment-value-based consumers were gathered at Seoul Samsung Coex between 11th and 13th to check out the 2023 ESG-Eco Expo Korea, an event in which one can discover about green consumption, manufacturing, technology, and policy.

The reporter visited the event location at 1p.m. on the 13th, the last day of the event. Thus, the event hall was less crowded, yet there were constant visitors. In total, there were 505 booths in the areas of green consumption (manufactured products, distribution, and service), green technology (resource circulation, carbon neutralisation, construction), and ESG, and 189 businesses and organisations participated.

The recycled paper straw and milk pack set, which won the production and service development sector authorised by the Environment Minister and worth 6 million won, during the eco-friendly data utilisation and analysis award in 2023, caught the eyes of the reporter. An associated person from the booth said during an interview with Consumerwide, "Children need a straw for drinking a pack of milk since they are often incapable of opening the pack. Concerning the straws that are used in the market, which are mostly made out of plastic material, we included paper straws for milk packs. Children can use paper straw to make a hole to drink, and the straw can be recycled, which will contribute to environmental protection."

An environmental clothes collection service booth was interesting as well. In many cases, clothing waste is processed through clothes collection boxes placed in apartments or streets in the area. But, by using this service, you can earn over approx. 500 won, 300 won per KG at max, or 20 thousand won at max for clothes over 20 units. The clothes are collected in collection bags provided by the service holder. An associated person from the business said, "It used to be normal to throw clothes away for clothes waste. Now that your clothes are in some way purchased by us, you earn a small sum of money in turn."

LG Electronics, which presented an environmental home appliance solution, and Epson, which decorated their booth with a garden theme, had quite a number of visitors among large business participants. LG Electronics decorated their booth with ocean ecology protection, reducing carbon emissions, and resource circulation themes. Tromm washing machine with environmental functions and materials, Tromm dryer that has reduced dry time by adopting AI dry course, Tromm wash tower, Codezero cleaner, recycled plastic adopted Styler, Styler shoecare and shecase, and Healing Me Arte massage chair were presented at the booth with an individual guide by staff members at the booth. Styler shoe care and shoe cases and the Healing Me Arte massage chair were exhibited for experiments.

Epson Korea exhibited various environmental printers. An associated person from Epson Korea explained. "Heat-Free technology, which does not consume heat, is an authentic technology of Epson, and it has the effect of reducing at max 77% of annual electricity consumption, 77% of CO2 emissions, and at max 82% of waste in the case of using the Epson business inkjet printer.

Some booths offered an environmental experiment programme for many visitors during the event. Mr. A (a salaryman in his 30s) who came for the exhibition said, "I got to see various environmental items that can be used on a daily basis through the event. I probably will have more concern for the environment in my consumption in the future."

Mr. B, a high school student (a Seoul resident), said, "I got a better understanding of an eco-friendly lifestyle, which used to be vague to me, by seeing various products during the exhibition. I have learned small practices can make a difference in terms of earth protection."