Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Tetra Pak Korea helps community build sustainable future
Tetra Pak Korea employees and other participants watch a band's performance at Nanbit Festival, Oct. 24. The multinational food processing and packaging company has been organizing the festival as part of the Orchid Light Festival since 2013 to promote Nanjido's transformation. / Courtesy of Tetra Pak Korea
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Tetra Pak Korea recently visited two senior welfare centers in Sangam-dong, western Seoul, to donate soy milk products, the company said Monday.
The Korean unit of the multinational food packaging and processing company has also organized a Christmas concert with MCLEE jazz band for senior citizens in the community.
The company collaborated with the Salvation Army to enhance the festive atmosphere and raise money to help the underprivileged.
Since 2013, it has been working with various nonprofit organizations, including Seoul Energy Dream Park and Seoul Business Agency, to raise awareness on sustainability and social value.
In cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and environmental conservation groups, it has been organizing the annual Orchid Light Festival since 2013.
The year-end corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities are part of the seventh Orchid Light Festival, an event that was organized to foster a move “Towards a Low-Carbon Circular Economy,” addressing the importance of sustainability.
This year, the Orchid Light Festival organizing committee held the festival from Oct. 18 to 24, hosting a range of events that draw thousands of environmentally conscious people from all walks of life, including young students and senior citizens.
Nanjido, once an island on the Han River, literally means “isle of orchids and spiritual mushrooms” in Korean. It used to be a popular honeymoon destination but became a garbage dump in 1978.
For 15 years until 1992, the island was used as a landfill for a total of 92 million tons of trash produced by Seoul residents.
However, the city turned the island into a complex of four eco-friendly parks: Peace Park, Haneul Park, Noeul Park and Nanjicheon Park.
Today, more than 1,400 species of animals and plants thrive in these parks, attracting thousands of visitors every day, it said.
Due to its countless efforts to draw engagement in CSR activities, Tetra Pak Korea received the “Contribution to Resources Circulation Society Award” from the Ministry of Environment in September.
“Our motto 'Protect what's good' encourages people to look around and shine a light in the dark corners of society,” said Grace Oh, communications director at Tetra Pak.
“By collaborating with the government and NGOs, we believe our sustainability efforts will positively impact the community.”