The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority (BJFEZ) is stepping up community-based environmental cleanup activities to improve industrial park conditions and promote carbon neutrality.
According to BJFEZ on the 12th, the "BJFEZ Eco Plogging Challenge" was held the previous afternoon near Nammun Children's Park No. 3 by Dongcheon Bridge 1 in Jinhae's Nammun District, South Gyeongsang Province.
The event marked the second challenge following the inaugural session at Hwajeon Industrial Complex in Gangseo, Busan on the 4th. BJFEZ organized the initiative to create eco-friendly industrial parks where industry and nature coexist in harmony.
Sixty-five participants attended, including Highland Innovation President Yoon Byung-il, Changwon City Volunteer Center Director Jeong Seo-in, Yoon Geum-soon, head of the Jinhae branch of Changwon City's Council of Volunteer Organizations, and Min Byung-duk, head of Changwon City's Saemaul Traffic Volunteer Corps. Corporate employees, volunteers, and public officials joined the event.
At the opening ceremony, participants agreed that community-based environmental activities play a crucial role in building carbon-neutral, eco-friendly industrial parks. They committed to expanding environmental practices through a "citizen voluntary participation campaign" that offers recognized volunteer hours for activities in BJFEZ's industrial and residential areas.
Participants then divided into groups and conducted plogging activities along riverbanks, roadsides, and green spaces. They focused on collecting discarded cigarette butts, plastic waste, and vinyl materials from walking paths and park areas near Dongcheon Bridge 1.
"The environment is the competitiveness of industrial parks," said BJFEZ Commissioner Park Sung-ho. "We will continue the Eco Plogging Challenge to lead the creation of eco-friendly, low-carbon industrial environments."
BJFEZ plans to continue monthly plogging activities at Mieum Industrial Complex in April, Saenggok Industrial Complex in May, Macheon and Namyang Industrial Complexes in June, and Jisa Industrial Complex in October. The authority aims to expand ESG practices and community engagement through these initiatives.