Students enjoy playtime at Seonheul Elementary School (Yonhap)
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — A small elementary school in Jeju has demonstrated the power of grassroots environmental initiatives, saving 702 paper towels in just five days through a student-led project.
The effort, part of a broader ecological education program, highlights how small changes can make a significant impact.
From December 17 to 21, 33 fifth and sixth graders at Seonheul Elementary School participated in the “Save Trees with Handkerchiefs” project, avoiding single-use paper towels by using personal handkerchiefs.
This simple switch is estimated to save three 30-year-old pine trees annually if the school’s entire student body of 105 participates year-round.
The project also utilized visual tracking, with students depositing plastic bottle caps into small boxes marked with the slogan “A one-second habit to save 30-year-old trees,” quantifying their reduction in paper towel use.
Seonheul Gotjawal forest and Dongbaek Wetlands (Image courtesy of KBS)
A Remarkable Turnaround
Seonheul Elementary, once at risk of closure due to declining enrollment, has transformed into a beacon of ecological education. Situated near the globally recognized Seonheul Gotjawal forest and Dongbaek Wetlands, the school adopted a health-ecology curriculum in 2015, integrating the natural environment into its teaching.
Community involvement played a key role, with local residents—many trained as eco-guides—contributing to educational programs. Facilities like ecological activity zones and gardens allowed students to engage directly with nature, cultivating plants and observing wildlife.
This innovative approach gained attention, particularly amid a growing trend of families relocating to Jeju for its natural beauty and educational opportunities. Student numbers rose steadily, from 24 in 2015 to 114 in 2021, solidifying the school’s place in the community.
Scaling Up Across Jeju
Inspired by Seonheul’s success, the Jeju Provincial Office of Education partnered with social enterprise Together Day to implement the handkerchief initiative in 10 schools across the island from December 9 to 20.
Participants included 500 students and staff from elementary, middle, and high schools, collectively saving 3,875 paper towels.
If expanded to all 77,000 students in Jeju’s schools, the program could save approximately 2,129 30-year-old pine trees annually.
Students reported positive experiences. “Using a handkerchief instead of paper towels felt challenging at first, but it became a natural habit and a meaningful way to reduce waste,” said a first-year high school student.
A Sustainable Future
“This was a valuable project that encouraged practical environmental action among students and teachers,” said Moon Jeong-hyeon, a climate and ecology education advisor. “We will continue to promote diverse environmental education initiatives to foster sustainable development.”
Seonheul Elementary’s efforts stand as a model for integrating environmental stewardship into education, proving that small actions can lead to meaningful change.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
