As the world gears up to celebrate the 55th Earth Day on April 22, 2025, various initiatives are underway across South Korea to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable practices. Seongju County is leading the charge with its 'Earth Day Dimming Event', which will take place from 8 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. on the designated day. During this time, the county office, community service centers, and public facilities will turn off their lights in a nationwide effort to highlight the seriousness of climate change. Residents and businesses are encouraged to join in voluntarily, dimming their lights as a symbolic gesture towards environmental consciousness.
Lee Byeong-hwan, the head of Seongju County, expressed his hopes for widespread participation, stating, "I hope many residents will join in the dimming event to reflect on environmental issues and practice a low-carbon, eco-friendly lifestyle." Earth Day, which originated in 1969 following an oil spill in California, has since evolved into a global celebration aimed at promoting environmental protection.
In addition to local initiatives, the distribution industry in South Korea is also stepping up with various environmental campaigns. Lotte Chilsung Beverage has announced significant strides in reducing plastic usage, having cut down approximately 1,220 tons of plastic in 2024 alone. This reduction was achieved through various packaging streamlining activities, including the introduction of lighter bottle designs and materials. For instance, the company reduced the height of the bottle mouth for its 'Cheoumseomool' products from 18.5mm to 12.8mm, resulting in a weight reduction of up to 12% depending on the container's capacity.
By the end of 2024, Lotte Chilsung's initiatives led to a reduction of around 541 tons of plastic emissions. Moreover, the company streamlined containers for smaller products, such as soju and coffee, reducing the weight by up to 4 grams per container. This effort has resulted in a total reduction of 674 tons of plastic across approximately 33 million products. The company is also introducing an ultra-lightweight bottle design, which is expected to further reduce plastic usage by 127 tons annually.
Meanwhile, Dongwon F&B participated in a plogging event on April 18, 2025, in collaboration with Jeju Island. Approximately 150 employees and local volunteers gathered to clean up the coastline in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, covering about 4,200 meters of beach. This initiative is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Dongwon F&B and Jeju Island aimed at developing collaborative products and expanding the market for local seafood.
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Dongwon F&B also organized a workation for their employees, allowing them to work remotely in Jeju Island while engaging in environmental activities. This innovative approach aims to balance work and inspiration in a fresh environment.
In Seoul, BAT Rothmans is celebrating Earth Day with its 'Flower BAT' campaign, which aims to beautify urban spaces while promoting environmental awareness. Approximately 100 participants, including CEO Song Young-jae and employees, gathered in Sindang-dong to create around 130 flower pots. This campaign, now in its third year, collaborates with the Korea Green Movement Association to transform litter-prone alleyways into vibrant flowerbeds, thereby reducing littering and enhancing the local environment.
On the same day, media towers in Jamsil Station, Songpa-gu, showcased videos promoting Earth protection, coinciding with the '15th Climate Change Week' from April 21 to April 27. The campaign aims to engage citizens and visitors, encouraging them to consider their role in environmental protection during their daily commutes. Songpa-gu Mayor Seogang Seok emphasized the importance of this initiative, hoping it would inspire residents to participate in eco-friendly actions.
Additionally, Fullmuwon is conducting a donation campaign for Earth Day, running until April 30, 2025. The '#PICK – Earth Day' campaign pledges to donate 500 won for every purchase of their 'I'm Real' products that utilize 100% chemically recycled containers. The funds raised will be used to plant native Korean species in the 'Forest of Peace' in Paju-si, promoting biodiversity and sustainability.
Fullmuwon is also offering a 10% discount on eco-friendly certified products, further incentivizing consumers to make environmentally conscious choices. Noh Gi-tae, the team leader of Fullmuwon's marketing team, stated, "Fullmuwon plans to continuously introduce various activities for eco-friendly value realization in the future," highlighting the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability.
As Earth Day approaches, these initiatives reflect a growing awareness and commitment to environmental issues among businesses and local governments in South Korea. From dimming lights to reducing plastic waste and beautifying neighborhoods, the collective efforts aim to inspire individuals to take action in their daily lives for a more sustainable future.
