환경부, 환경의 날 기념행사 개최<br /><br /> World Environment Day was designated by the UN in 1972 to raise awareness about protecting the environment.<br />A special event was held in Seoul involving ordinary citizens, to celebrate this day.<br />Our Ko Roon-hee was there to check it out. <br /> Almost a thousand people gathered at a park in Seoul on Tuesday to celebrate World Environment Day.<br />The celebration centered on the main theme of this year's World Environment Day -- plastic pollution.<br />It kicked off with a speech by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.<br /><br /> "If a product can't be recycled, manufacturers should be careful about producing it in the first place. Every producer should think about how their behavior can affect the environment."<br /><br />The Prime Minister also commended certain companies, civic groups, and educational institutions for their outstanding efforts in this area.<br /><br />A representative of a local environmental group said plastic pollution is a pressing matter for South Korea.<br /><br /> "Per capita, South Korea uses the most plastic in the world. Each person goes through one-hundred and thirty kilograms of plastic a year. This huge amount of plastic has nowhere to go now." <br /><br /> In 2016, the country as a whole... threw out two-point-six-five million tons of plastic waste,... a 46-percent increase compared to 2011.<br />Only 30 to 40 percent of plastic waste in 2016 was recycled. <br /><br />Participants said Tuesday's event caused them to reflect on their own behavior.<br /><br /> "I like plants, so I use plastic cups as flower pots. Today I learned that I should replace the cups with real flower pots and try not to use plastic."<br /><br />"The ministry ensured the refreshments were in keeping with the spirit of the day. <br />Moving away from plastic, visitors get free coffee if they bring their own multi-use cup or tumbler."<br /><br /> The ministry prepared hands-on interactive experience booths... where they learned about things like "upcycling," which is the process of transforming waste into new products of better quality or that have better environmental value.<br /><br /> "I made this pencil cap. My kids buy ones made of plastic. However, I think this recycled one looks and feels better."<br /><br /> The ministry says it plans to communicate more with the public, like this,... when coming up with concrete plans to reduce plastic waste.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News. <br />
