Tailim Paper turns 100 million steps into kimchi for elderly waste-paper collectors

Tailim Paper, a corrugated base-paper manufacturer under the Global Saea Group, used 10 million won ($6,940) raised through an employee step-donation campaign to hold a summer kimchi-making volunteer event for elderly waste-paper collectors and vulnerable residents.

The company announced Monday that its employees recently gathered at the Bono General Social Welfare Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to make about 600 heads of napa cabbage kimchi totaling 1,500 kilograms. The kimchi was delivered to 250 households in the Ansan area, including elderly residents who collect waste paper and other vulnerable groups.

The event drew on 10 million won raised through a company walking campaign called "Walking into Spring with Tailim," in which employees collectively log steps and the company donates a set amount once they reach a combined total of 100 million steps.

Now in its fourth year, the walking campaign has met its step target annually and channeled the proceeds into community support. The summer kimchi-sharing initiative is also in its fourth year.

Tailim Paper has made elderly waste-paper collectors a priority beneficiary, recognizing that they form the first link in the recycling chain by gathering discarded paper and feeding it into the resource-circulation system. Tied to its corrugated base-paper production business, the company has provided practical goods such as handcarts, kimchi and ramyun.

The company has also sustained community outreach centered on Ansan, where its headquarters is located. Since 2015, Tailim Paper has donated about 10 million won annually to support goods provision and environmental improvements at local rehabilitation facilities. The company said it plans to continue its giving activities this year, targeting elderly waste-paper collectors and other residents in need.

"The elderly residents who collect waste paper are invaluable partners who help set the very starting point of resource circulation," said Jeong Dong-ha, chief executive of Tailim Paper. "Through community engagement tied to the nature of our business, we aim to grow together with the local community and contribute to spreading a sustainable resource-circulation culture."