Consumer awareness of the environment is increasing as lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 raised the issue of increasing household waste such as plastic and disposable products. Jeonju is promoting the ‘zero waste’ movement as part of its efforts to actively solve environmental problems. The movement focuses on eco-friendly product consumption and in-container challenges that can be conducted in real life.

Jeollabuk-do’s Zero Waste Tour

‘Good Stores in Our Neighborhood #용기내GO Stamp Tour’ is a Zero Waste Tour project in Jeollabuk-do, hereinafter referred to as ‘Zero Waste Tour’. #용기내GO means using reusable containers instead of disposable ones. Twelve stores in Jeonju and Gunsan joined together to achieve a single goal; spreading zero waste culture within the province, and further encouraging waste-free consumption. Participants can receive rewards by collecting stamps shaped like Z, E, R, or O and submitting it to Gunsan’s Heungbunsaek or Jeonju’s Neulmigok, the two participants of the tour. Globe reporters covered several stores in the *Zero Waste Tour.

*Zero Waste

Zero Waste is an advocacy campaign that intends to‘not release things into the land, ocean, or air that could threaten the environment by reducing waste using less packaging of recyclable materials.’ In Korea, the Zero Waste campaign gained popularity in the late 2010s and has recently spread through social networking.

Mikrokosmos  - 소우주

Location : 536,Garinae-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si

Instagram : @mikrokosmos7000

Mikrokosmos is a zero waste pop-up store located in Sunmichon, Jeonju. Jang Han-kyul and her younger sister Jang Han-byeol manage the store. The sisters have always been eco-friendly consumers before running the pop-up store. However, when Jang Han-kyul was a college student in Jeonju, she thought it was difficult to access to practice zero waste in Jeonju. In addition, the environmental issues are continuous and active online, but there are many restrictions to actively practice zero waste offl ine. Han-gyul, who wanted to do something valuable after quitting the company, decided to open a zero waste store, and called her younger sister Hanbyeol, who was living in Japan, to Jeonju

What catches the eye as soon as entering the store is a refi ll station next to the entrance. It sells daily necessities such as shampoo bars that can be used instead of shampoo in plastic containers, scrubbers made from dried fruits, and refillable detergents that you can put into your container as much as necessary. The inner corner displays products from social enterprises that contribute to the creation of jobs for local seniors and residents. Cotton pads and menstrual cups can also be purchased. Women can compare various products that you cannot easily encounter offl ine. It is a corner that showcases the delicacy of the Mikrokosmos’ sisters.

JETEVEUX - 쥬튜브

Location : 16-5, Deulsapyeong 4-gil, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si

Instagram : @j_t_v_ux

Website : https://blog.naver.com/kiki01218

JETEVEUX is an eco-friendly workshop that means 'I want you' in French. In the past, CEO Lee Seul-ki regarded products with wonderful fragrances as the best. However, after finding out that synthetic perfume and surfactants are not good for the body, interest in natural ingredients increased. Lee said that products with excessive EDC (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) are building up in the body. “Now we need to check not only cosmetics, but also ingredients of cleaning products.”

JETEVEUX is an educational workshop where you can make cleaning products such as bath bombs, all-in-one bars, detergents. All products are made from natural materials and returned to nature. JETEVEUX does not use plastic and plastic bags. If you bring a container or shopping basket to take products after making, 1,000 won is refunded. Lee said, “recently, zero waste is spreading. Simply buying a new container and shopping baskets for zero waste do not help the earth. Although JETEVEUX's activities such as not using plastic bags may not be the answer to zero waste, it is intended to be done by ourselves, not someone else.”

JETEVEUX, which dreams of becoming an eco-friendly workshop representing Jeonju, is practicing the good infl uence of the Zero Waste campaign, which is healthy for both the body and the earth, through various activities including donations and lectures.

- Among JETEVEUX's various programs, Lee recommends an all-in-one bar program that can replace shampoo, body wash, and foam cleansing with one product. It is especially recommended for pregnant women, people who are prone to absorbing harmful substances due to large pores, people experiencing hair loss, and those who have severe menstrual pain.

Neulmigok - 늘미곡

Location : 16, Seonneomeo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si

instagram : @neulmigok

Neulmigok is a mixed grain zero waste store. Seo Neul opened it after leaving a semiconductor corporation’s environmental sector with deep interest in environmental issues. Seo thought of the mixed grain zero waste store in relation to her family’s grain business. Zero waste stores are increasing, but selling mixed grains in terms of zero waste is still unique. People can buy different kinds of grains in small amounts with reusable containers at Neulmigok. Seo said, “Koreans consume grain every day. I believe that people who purchase their everyday meals in a zero waste store can become more eco-friendly in other parts as well.”

Neulmigok promotes zero waste with various campaigns like collecting milk cartons, plastic bottle caps, and paper bags. Seo’s goal is to show the resource circulation process and simply explain how to recycle. She also displays diff erent brands of the same product, other than mixed grain. Each person might have diff erent environmental values. Some may prioritize reducing waste, while others value cutting down on carbon emission. Seo wants consumers to choose products that meet their values.

Seo also has clear opinions regarding the environment. “There are many values and ideas people can choose from. However, preventing environmental pollution is not a value anyone can choose to believe. No one can escape this matter because it equally applies to all. The idea of zero waste shouldn’t feel forced; it should come naturally. We have learned about environmental problems since we were young. Eco-friendly activities including zero waste quickly gained attention in Korea over the years. Nonetheless, I am worried that the consistent environmental problems will be regarded as a ‘trend’ and people will quickly lose interest. Cherishing the environment should be everyone’s habit.” “If zero waste and eco-friendly products become common, there will be no place for zero waste stores like Neulmigok to stand. Paradoxically, that is the ultimate goal of zero waste store owners,” Seo stated

- Toothpaste tablets can replace conventional tube toothpastes. All you have to do is chew the tablet until it melts completely, brush your teeth, and rinse your mouth. Toothpaste tablets are handy and do not produce any plastic waste.

PLANTICA - 플랜티카

Location : 1F, 49, Chunggyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si

Instagram : @plantica.korea

PLANTICA is a cafe that sells vegan desserts and sandwiches. Cafe owner Jeon Eun-ji naturally became interested in veganism and following environmental issues as she continued to bake vegan due to her allergies to egg and milk. She constantly strives to make a better PLANTICA with a mission to set up a place for vegans and non-vegans to go. PLANTICA's menu often changes with her newly developed recipes.

Jeon had zero waste in mind since she opened the cafe. As part of that, she decided to use packaging materials and take-out cups made from PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), an eco-friendly plastic made from corn starch. Unlike ordinary plastic that takes long to decompose, PLA can be easily biodegraded in certain conditions. Using PLA packaging is economically burdensome, of course. Even so, Jeon feels satisfi ed with doing what she can for the environment. PLANTICA is also participating in the 'Zero Plastic Jeonbuk' campaign, which off ers a reusable shared cup called a 'TURNbler' to take-out customers.

She does not think she is an activist nor doing something great by doing these things. Jeon feels grateful to see people taste delicious vegan treats at PLANTICA and become a little more interested in environmental issues. She thinks it is important that many people get the opportunity to be exposed to such good infl uences.

- Blueberry cake is a dessert that has been loved so long in PLANTICA. Many customers who tasted the cake want to taste it again. Just like all the other menu items at PLANTICA, this blueberry cake does not use any animal products.

Morning of Moak Mountain - 모악산의 아침

Location : 25-48, Jungin 2-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si

Instagram : @travel_moa

Outside the big window, there stands Moaksan mountain and shivering dark bamboo stalks. Morning of Moak Mountain is a zero waste accommodation that shares sustainable and responsible consumption and culture for coexistence with the earth. MOA, the host, was aware of the amount of garbage coming out of the hostel, and began to think about how to move forward to an eco-friendly space. She states she will try hard to set an example as a precedent until zero waste is natural in accommodations where many people come and go. “The environmental problem is for all of us. If one more person gets to learn about zero waste through us and becomes aware of environmental problems, it will be benefi cial to everyone living together on the earth.”

Morning of Moak Mountain is making various efforts for zero waste. Above all, it off ers customers shampoo and rinse bars that do not use plastic containers. Eco-friendly supplies such as hemp washers, dish-washing soaps, and reusable dish cloths are used in the kitchen. It is also working on resource circulation by donating empty bottles, collecting cartons and exchanging them with toilet paper, and giving boxes and ice packs to nearby stores. Plus, solar panels are installed to address energy problems, and garden crops are provided to emphasize the importance of self-suffi ciency.

Gu Seo-yoon Editor, Kim Eun-ji, Chin Da-youn, Han Hee-jeong Reporters