We planned a ”Gong-Zone (空:ZONE) Campaign” to reduce the disposables. As part of that, the “EPR Challenge (Eco_PNU_Relay Challenge)” is being conducted to encourage students of  Pusan ​​National University (PNU) to participate. The reporter set an example and put Jup-Ging (Plogging) Challenge, Yong-Ki-Nae (Courage Up) Challenge, Tumbler Challenge, NO-Plastic Challenge all into action for the campaign Gong-Zone.

 # “Jup-Ging (Plogging) Challenge” in Oncheoncheon

Around 4 PM on March 15th, we walked along Oncheoncheon near PNU with a garbage bag in our hands and picked up the garbage on the street. The trash in the garbage bag was mainly daily wastes such as wooden chopsticks, gum wrappers, plastic bags, and business cards. It was awkward because we were the only ones who picked up the garbage while there were numerous people walking on the streets. We thought about how much garbage would accumulate if each person threw away one garbage of their own. In reverse, we thought of how much it would protect the environment if each person picked up a small piece of garbage.

#"Yong-Ki-Nae Challenge" first-try

 I have used tumblers when taking out coffees and beverages before, but it was difficult to take out foods with self-brought containers. It's a good challenge to habituate when you know that garbage, such as plastic bags or containers that come out while packing bread, is as enormous as plastic cups. 

On March 15th at about 5 PM, I bought bread at a bakery near PNU and brought it out in my own container. When I took the bread to the counter, I stopped the employee from packing the bread with a plastic bag and requested her to put it in the container that I brought. It was a shame that I couldn't bring a larger container. The first is always difficult, but after that, it was much easier than the first.

# Conversations with a “Tumbler”

  It was not difficult to take out coffee with tumblers. I was familiar with this challenge because I use them often and also I can get a discount when taking them out at franchise coffee shops. On March 15th at 5:30 PM, I ordered a drink at a nearby cafe and handed over a tumbler. Then, the owner gladly accepted it and said “I wish people would use tumblers like this more frequently to protect the environment”. I thought I should continue to use them from now on.

# "NO-Plastic" from now on

 After the pandemic started, I rarely ate out and often got them delivered. Whenever I did, I unconsciously asked for plastic cutleries. However, I no longer receive it anymore after I realized how many plastic bowls and cutleries are wasted while doing a part-time job at a restaurant. I was proud to check how many times I reduced my usage of disposables, and also I will buy food continuously with “Yong-Ki-Nae (Courage Up) Challenge” without plastic cutleries.

#Small Actions Lead to Change

The seriousness of environmental issues is not surprising because it has been mentioned steadily for a long time. You couldn't have realized the need to save because you have thought that your actions don't effect the environment even though you think about environmental issues. Reporters from Channel PNU prepared four challenges to show that you are not the only one to take action. We hope that this challenge will spread to the world, starting with PNU students. If everyone takes these challenges into action, it will be the essence to solving the roots of environmental pollution.

 You can see #EPRchallenge videos of the reporters on the YouTube channel of Channel PNU. Your attention and participation can change the world. 

Reporter Lee Yoon-Seo & Kim Ye-Shin

Translated by Park Yeon-Hee