Wearing protective gear, a health worker cools down with an ice pack at a new coronavirus testing site in Seoul’s southwestern Yangcheon Ward on June 11, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — Municipal governments are taking the initiative to promote the recycling of ice packs, which are piling up at homes across the country amid a surge in demand for delivery services resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gel-type ice packs consist of fine plastics. When discarded improperly, they could cause environmental pollution.
The Ichon 1-dong community center is collecting such ice packs and recycling them as ice jackets that can be used by the medical staff at COVID-19 testing centers or cleaning workers.
The Seongdong District Office also installed ice pack collection boxes at 17 locations within the district.
The ice pack collection box installed in front of the community center is often fully packed, an indication of its popularity among residents.
After being washed and sterilized at a community self-help center, the ice packs are sent to merchants at local markets for free.
The campaign has the effect of killing two birds with one stone, since it is a cost-saver for merchants, while also protecting the environment.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
