Hwang So-Yoon, the leader of the band Se So Neon, narrated the campaign video.
PLEATS MAMA proudly presents the “Yeosu OBP” edition, which is made with recycled waste plastic produced by ships that embark from the Yeosu port.
The Yeosu OBP edition is the result and first practical product of the Marine Plastic Pollution Recycling Project, which PLEATS MAMA launched in April with both Hyosung TNC and the Yeosu Gwanyang Port Authority. By utilizing the *OBP produced by “Regen Ocean,” a company established by Hyosung TNC for this specific purpose, PLEATS MAMA produces fashion items. The waste plastic used for the Yeosu OBP edition is obtained by either distributing reusable bags with which to collect plastic bottles from embarking ships or collecting plastic waste from the ships returning to the port.
The Yeosu OBP edition includes a mini briefcase, ball bag, shoulder bag, and tote bag – a total of four items made entirely with recycled plastic waste retrieved from the ocean. The mini brief case and ball bag are especially notable as unprecedented new designs highlighted through this project. By placing the brand’s signature fold on the side instead of the front, the mini brief case embodies a sophisticated look; and the ball bag comes in the shape of a water droplet, encapsulating PLEATS MAMA’s exclusive style. Apart from these, the best-selling shoulder and tote bags incorporate specific colors and gradations to evoke the image of Yeosu’s winter ocean water.
Hwang So-yoon, the leader of the three-person band Se So Neon, narrated the Yeosu OBP campaign video. Through her blunt narration, she not only spreads awareness about the little-known reality of marine waste, but also decries the current situation of polluted oceans and highlights the importance of environmental preservation.
Let us introduce our sea protection campaign and its result, OCEAN Edition. We aim to recycle plastics discarded in the sea and further prevent plastic waste from being disposed into the sea. While our Love Edition was an action to build a regional circulation ecosystem, the OCEAN Edition is a move to build a ‘marine circulation ecosystem’.
The sea is the largest carbon sink on Earth. Sea creatures, represented as seaweed and kelp forests, are grasping 93% of the entire carbon dioxide in the world. Imagine 1% of it spilled, and it is already equivalent to the emissions emitted by 97 million cars. Not to mention that sea plays a key role for us and the Earth, imagine what a catastrophic world we will encounter if sea loses its power to hold carbon.
Yet unfortunately, seas are not safe from plastics. Plastic remains we dumped into rivers end up forming garbage island more than twice the size of Texas, while one full truck of plastic is discarded into the sea every minute. Plastic waste accounts for 46% of sea waste. Fishing gears or related garbage are more than a half of entire sea trash. They, even at this moment, are floating and sinking in the sea, destroying the marine ecosystem.
Experts say that we can prevent the destruction of Earth if only 30% of the sea is preserved. Now, 5% of the marine areas are protected, but fishing is granted in 90% of these areas –ending up leaving less than 1% of the entire marine areas ‘actually’ protected.
We noticed how environment has risen as an important concern recently. Although it is uplifting to witness how numerous corporations, consumers, and government became savvy on the topic, it is quite alarming to note that all such protection activities might be futile without the sea.
That is why, PLEATSMAMA calls for its new action and new edition –centered on OCEAN.