I heard shocking reports that Koreans use 132kg of plastic per person per year (as of 2015). The world's highest level, more plastic than Americans or Chinese. I also received sad news that garbage exported from South Korea is building a mountain of waste in Southeast Asia. It is said that such a mountain of garbage is not many in Korea. How did Korea become a country of plastics?

In the past, I, like many others, never thought of using plastic as a big problem. But working for a Danish toy company gave me a chance to learn more about the secrets of plastics. The biggest harvest is the alarm on plastics.

In particular, plastic made in China raised my worries. Many Chinese plastics are used all over the world, and China has no strict standards like Europe, so they found cheap plastics containing many harmful substances. In order to save the earth groaning with plastic bags and plastic wastes, I felt that I had to do something to protect my family from harmful substances.

● Reduce the use of disposables

Knowing that all changes begin with one person, I decided to start changing from me. With this in mind, I began to see how many disposable items I used in my daily life. I was surprised. I removed the disposable items like sanitary bags and wet wipes that I used at home right away. Instead, they started using eco bags, cloth bags, glass bottles, and silicon packs.

I thought it would be very inconvenient if I didn't use disposable products vaguely, but I didn't buy them around so I realized that I could not have any trouble in my daily life without these supplies. If you look back, you will find yourself using habits from time to time. If you had known the harm from the beginning, it would not have been used in the first place.

The chemicals and plastics that people continue to produce are waste of the future unless they are recycled. Nowadays, the dangers of fine plastics are widespread and sunscreen chemicals are known to adversely affect sea creatures. In Hawaii, the use of sunscreens containing certain chemicals was banned. Think about it together.

This requires corporate involvement. Danish beer company Carlsberg has announced a policy not to use plastic in packs. These small changes were also welcomed by consumers. The image of a company that cares about the environment is a very important value in Denmark.
● Recycle things

Donating good things that are no longer needed and reusing used goods is a common way of life for Danish people. When a baby is born, there is a culture that collects and delivers clothes, toys, and childcare items used by their children.

Toxins produced by new objects, such as new clothes and new toys, are one of the causes of atopic dermatitis. My daughter, Lina, had a rash on her skin when she used new things or played with Chinese plastic toys. To remove harmful chemicals from new clothes, you have to suck at least 10 times. Isn't a culture that inherits used goods protects the environment and protects children from harmful chemicals?

I lived in my house for four years after my marriage, when I bought everything except an electric range from an online used trading site. I visited the site for more than two months, and when I got a good value for money, I contacted you first to make a purchase. The pleasure of preparing one by one is as much as the pleasure of buying new things. Thanks to 100,000 won for a washing machine, 250,000 won for a refrigerator, and 100,000 won for an oven, I bought a new one and used it until now.

There is another Danish case that may be useful in Korea. In Korea, if you bring a glass bottle, such as a soju bottle or beer bottle, to the mart, you get money. In Denmark, plastic bottles also give money. You can get 50-100 won per bottle. In Denmark, unemployed people can collect empty bottles on streets and bins to cover their living expenses, protecting the environment and providing income sources for the vulnerable.

The rubbish I discarded is now invisible to my eyes, and is eventually to be returned to us. Even if you are lucky and do not return to me, it will eventually be a disaster for your children. Why don't we start with the easy things and the things I can do slowly. I hope our efforts are not too late.

※ This manuscript has been written by the in-it editorial team.

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