2023.09.22
BAT tackles trash dumping with flower gardens
By Mun So-jeong, The
Korea Herald - BAT Rothmans, the Korean unit of British America Tobacco, said
Tuesday it started a flower planting campaign dubbed “Kkot BAT,” with the aim
to save alleys from litter and cigarette butts.
“Kkot,” meaning
“flower,” and “BAT," meaning “plot” in Korean, this new campaign lays
lively flower pots or flower beds in neighborhoods suffering from littering and
illegal waste disposal.
Acknowledging the
roles of citizens in this campaign, BAT Rothmans has secured partnerships with
non-governmental organization that has close relationships with local
communities.
“Our Kkot BAT
campaign is a meaningful campaign in which companies join hands with the local
community for environmental solutions,” said Kim Eun-ji, the Country Manager of
BAT Rothmans. “We will continue to give positive influence on neighborhoods
with environmental, social and corporate governance efforts.”
In June, the tobacco
manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean National
Council for Conservation of Nature Seoul branch, followed by their first flower
garden campaign near BAT Rothmans headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.
With the support of
a community service center, the company cleaned and planted five flower beds in
Gwanghui-dong, a neighborhood that frequently became the center of trash
dumping issues.
“The Kkot BAT
campaign definitely changed the atmosphere of our neighborhood while improving
the residential environment, even more efficiently than imposing fines,” said
the head of Gwanghui-dong village.
The back alley, once
strewn with cigarette butts, is now grown to a vivid flower garden.
Following its first
campaign, BAT Rothmans will plant about 20 flower gardens all over Seoul, even
ramping up its influence to Gwanak-gu, Dobong-gu, and Nowon-gu by the end of
this year.
Source: https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230919000604