The government, local authorities, and businesses are collaborating to recycle discarded election banners into building materials and bags, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainability. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 6 (Korea Bizwire) — In an ambitious push to curb waste and promote circular economy practices, the South Korean government has joined forces with local governments and private companies to recycle discarded election banners into construction materials, car interiors, and eco-conscious consumer products.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on Thursday that it signed a multi-party agreement titled “Sowing the Seeds of Circularity” at SK Chemicals’ Ulsan plant. The agreement includes four private firms—SK Chemicals, Sejin Plus, Revelop, and Kakao—as well as five local governments, including Sejong City and Gangneung in Gangwon Province.
Each year, South Korea produces around 6,000 tons of banners for political campaigns and public events. According to government data, roughly 70 percent of these banners are incinerated or buried in landfills, contributing to carbon emissions and the release of harmful substances.
The situation is expected to worsen with a spike in banner production following the 2025 presidential election and the nationwide local elections slated for June 2026.
The city of Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province has received positive reviews for its initiative to collect discarded banners and repurpose them into sacks for environmental maintenance.
(Photo credit: Official government website, Korea Policy Briefing)
To break this cycle, the ministry is linking municipalities with companies that specialize in recycling textiles and plastics. Participating local governments will collect banners discarded in their regions and pass them on to corporate partners for processing.
Under the partnership:
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Sejin Plus will repurpose banners into automotive interior parts and construction materials.
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SK Chemicals will process them into raw plastic material.
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Revelop will transform them into sustainable fashion and promotional items, including bags and apparel.
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Kakao plans to purchase desks and chairs made from recycled banners to donate to underprivileged children, while also supporting the distribution and sale of such products through its digital platform.
The pilot program is expected to recycle approximately 195 tons of used banners across the five regions, significantly reducing landfill and incineration costs.
The ministry said it will incorporate lessons from the initiative into national recycling guidelines and expand successful models to municipalities across the country.
“This collaboration marks a pivotal step toward embedding sustainability into everyday practices,” a ministry spokesperson said. “By transforming waste into value, we’re sowing the seeds for a more circular future.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
