USISAN’s eco-friendly whale doll. (image: SK Innovation)
SEOUL, May 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Inspired by the abandoned plastic from the stomach of a whale that died in Ulsan, a social enterprise is receiving positive reviews for producing and selling eco-friendly whale dolls that reflect on the protection of the marine environment.
SK Innovation Co., South Korea’s top oil refiner, announced on Monday that the whale dolls sold by USISAN are receiving positive responses from local governments and government offices as well as tourists in Ulsan.
USISAN is a social enterprise supported by affiliates of SK Group based in Ulsan, including SK Innovation, SK Energy Co. and SK Global Chemical Co., in recognition of its value in protecting whales and related heritage, not to mention creating jobs.
The company also operates a gallery cafe, a handicraft workshop, and whale museum souvenir shops in Ulsan.
For the past three months, the company has collected waste plastics from large vessels entering the port of Ulsan to produce and sell eco-friendly products such as dolls, eco-bags and T-shirts.
Many people sympathize with the corporate purpose. Ulsan travelers purchase whale dolls and other souvenirs, while local governments and government offices ordered 2,000 eco-bags.
“We hope that the interest in whale dolls and other eco-friendly products will lead to a small practice in daily life to reduce the use of plastic,” said Byeon Ui-hyeon, the CEO of USISAN.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
