Byun Eui-hyun, CEO of Usisan, said, “We’re committed to saving Earth’s largest endangered creatures by preventing plastic ingestion among whales.” (Image courtesy of Yonhap News)
SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The waters off the coast of Ulsan were once a haven for whale sightings. However, the whale population has sharply declined as many animals have starved to death after ingesting plastics discarded by humans.
Byun Eui-hyun, CEO of Usisan, said, “We’re committed to saving Earth’s largest endangered creatures by preventing plastic ingestion among whales.”
During an interview at the Ulsan Port Authority on Wednesday, Byun said, “It’s not just whales. Other marine life also suffers from the plastic pollution caused by human activity. We aspire to make our oceans cleaner and create a more hospitable environment for marine life through our waste plastic recycling business.”
Usisan, under Byun’s leadership, is a social enterprise established in Ulsan in 2015, primarily focused on upcycling waste plastics. Upcycling involves the transformation of waste materials into new, value-added products, going beyond simple waste reuse.
Usisan’s mission is to tackle environmental issues affecting marine life, particularly among animals suffering due to plastics and vinyl waste.
Last year, Usisan collected over 40 tons of plastic waste, a volume equivalent to 140,000 units of 500 ㎖ water bottles, and transformed them into upcycled products such as gloves, socks and shirts, which were subsequently sold.
Over the past three years, the company has collected a total of 102 tons of plastic waste, resulting in an impressive carbon dioxide offset effect of 240 tons. This is equivalent to the effect of planting 40,625 30-year-old cypress trees.
Usisan’s initiatives receive support from various entities, including SK Innovation and local institutions such as the Ulsan Port Authority.
In 2019, Usisan entered into a partnership for marine waste reduction and climate change response with SK Innovation, the Ulsan Port Authority, the Ulsan Regional Oceans & Fisheries Administration, and the UNEP National Committee for the Republic of Korea.
Byun said, “Conducting waste plastic upcycling projects is not easy for a small social enterprise. However, SK Group provides valuable support in areas like promotion, marketing and networking, and even contributes innovative ideas and proposals.”
Usisan has been actively bolstering the local economy by hiring 11 new employees annually, starting from 2020 until last year. Its hiring approach places a priority on individuals from diverse backgrounds, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and young talent, fostering a sense of shared prosperity within the community.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
