[The Hwankyung Ilbo] What is the role of NGOs for a plastic zero society? NGOs are the three main agents of the government, companies, and NGOs that are guaranteed the most free activities, but have the most limited roles.

Another name for the NGO is 'Citizen'. Because it is the main body that consumes products that destroy the environment, it can be the perpetrator's position and the victim's position because it is affected by the destroyed environment.

Many are voluntarily striving for the environment, but mankind is already too far away to recover the environment only by voluntary efforts. If the efforts of citizens are not enough, shouldn't the efforts of citizens be directed toward moving the government and businesses? 

On the second day of the "2021 Jeju Plus International Environmental Forum" held at Halla Hall in Jeju, ICC on July 8 and 9, NGO sessions discussed the future direction of NGOs' movements and institutionalization for a plastic zero society.

Kim Byung-il, CEO of Pacific Diving, introduced photos taken under the sea for decades and visually showed how polluted the sea was.

CEO Kim said, "We collect marine waste from Jeju Island, but we don't pick up ropes and other things because merchants calculate by weight." In addition, ordinary household waste is light, so divers should pick it up one by one without collecting it from vendors.

"In the end, environmental pollution is caused by population growth. Livestock such as cows, chickens, horses, and dogs emit 2.5 million people's excrement, which enters the sea. No one knows the seriousness of marine pollution."

In addition, port facilities distort water flow in each neighborhood, and sewage treatment plants and fish farms pollute the sea. Some scientists who study marine pollution say not to eat fish and algae in the islands.

He also asked fishermen who visit Jeju to protect the environment. CEO Kim said, "I have seen many cases in which fishermen insert garbage into the cracks of rocks or throw it into the sea. "I hope fishermen will be interested in the environment."

"There are 100,000 divers coming into Jeju, and if these people can collect garbage, they can reduce a huge amount. I think it will be possible if we give justification in Jeju Island."
 

18.5 million Jeju tourists a year: 

Kim Jeong-do, policy director of the Jeju Environmental Movement Association, explained the reality that Jeju is being destroyed by a sharp increase in population and tourists.

The launch of low-cost airlines has led to an explosive increase in Jeju tourists. The number of tourists to Jeju increased from 3 million in 1991 ▷ 5 million in 2005 ▷ 7.57 million in 2010 ▷ surpassed 10.85 million in 2013 and ▷ 12.5 million in 2014 ▷ 18.5 million in 2020.

Along with the population growth, the amount of household waste increased to 994 tons per day in 2016, and the landfill volume of the Dongbok landfill in Jeju Island also increased from 9,362 tons between February and July 2019 and 16,553 tons between May and July 2020.

As tourists flocked, related industries expanded significantly. The number of coffee shops per 10,000 people in Jeju Island is 27.8, the highest in the country, with 22.3 in Gangwon Province. Both are famous tourist attractions. 

Director Kim pointed out, "The role of NGOs is also important, but it cannot be solved by emphasizing already structured problems and individual practice."

In response, Director Kim proposed to improve the system through the revision of the Jeju Special Act, not the revision of the upper law.

Although the ban on the use of disposable plastic cups can be restricted through the adjustment of the Ministry of Environment's decree, there are many things to consider when implementing it nationwide, so let's implement it on a trial basis in Jeju.

He explained, "Jeju should play the role of a test bed for the mid- to long-term task of removing disposable plastic."

In response, Kim Ik-soo, editor-in-chief of the Environmental Daily, said, "While I was in the media, I watched a lot of 'Washing'. Unrealistic policies and institutions only pretend to do it, but there are no results. That's why NGOs' role in urging green innovation is important. We look forward to establishing policies that fit the reality of the region, not at the central level." 

Replace plastic with algae: 

Social ventures for the environment are also becoming more active. Jang Jin-hyuk, CEO of Innobus, announced the social economy through recycling disposable cups. CEO Jang said, "If plastic cups are unified into PETs and used cups are washed cleanly and collected well, plastic problems will be solved."

In fact, Inobus collects cleanly washed plastic cups through the Ssaem Cup collection box, collects them, uses them as raw materials to make blankets, and delivers them to the elderly living alone or the vulnerable. 

CEO Cha Wan-young of Marine Innovation is pushing for a project to replace plastic with by-products of algae.

"Too much wood can lead to a climate crisis and food can lead to starvation. "On the other hand, non-wood byproducts can be replaced without any environmental impact."

"There is no material that can be made cheaper than plastic. This is because plastic itself is a by-product of oil. "Everyone knows that it is a problem, but eco-friendly products are being neglected in markets."

"Because the government does not tighten plastic regulations, eco-friendly products are not sold. "If we introduce a waste producer levy system, impose a levy, and inject it into a company that makes eco-friendly products, the problem can be solved."

In response, Kim Ik-soo, editor-in-chief of the Environmental Daily, said, "There is a reason why innovative technologies are not sold in the market. "This is because barriers to entry are too high," he said. "These companies grow only when consumers buy products. It will be difficult if we can't open the market. Big companies are not very interested. Consumption can change the market and achieve innovation." 

Beach Clean, 1882 participants in two years: 

Han Joo-young, CEO of Save Jeju's Sea, introduced Beach Clean, which is being held in Jeju.

Save Jeju's Sea was able to collect about 10 tons of marine waste with 682 volunteers participating 67 times in two years.

However, it became impossible to gather as a group with Covid-19 last year, and an unmanned beach cleaning center was established in the east of Jeju Island to do beach cleaning for less than four people. 

"Most of the marine waste collected goes through an intermediate collection site and is buried. "I wondered if it would be meaningful to collect marine waste while waiting for the government to create a system, and we are operating a plastic buoy recycling program to contribute to increasing the recycling rate."

Save Jeju's Sea is not only collecting garbage, but is also working on making a camping box by selecting buoys made of PP.

However, the problem is that there are many buoys that cannot be recycled because the material is not accurately marked. It will be easier to recycle just by accurately marking the material.

"When I pick up sea garbage, I realize that it is no different from the garbage generated at home. It is most important not to make garbage from scratch."

In response, Kim Soo-jong, a former editor of the Hankook Ilbo, said, "The greenhouse gas that causes climate change is the largest waste produced by oil civilization in the 20th century," adding, "A considerable amount of greenhouse gas comes from the process of producing plastic production." "One of the ways to reduce greenhouse gases is to reduce plastic."

Kim Ik-soo, editor-in-chief of the Environment Daily, said, "I think one of the NGO's roles is showing experienced environmental education in the field. "I think it is education in the field that the institutional authority cannot do, and that makes us feel that we are perpetrators and victims."