South Gyeongsang Province, Geoje, two shipbuilders join hands to expand eco-friendly banner use

South Gyeongsang Province is extending its eco-friendly banner policy — previously limited to the public sector — to large private companies.

The provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday at Geoje City Hall with Geoje, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean to promote the use of banners made from eco-friendly materials. It marks the first time the province's eco-friendly banner policy, which had applied only to public institutions, has been extended to large private workplaces.

Under the agreement, the participating institutions and companies will expand the production and use of eco-friendly fabric banners, step up collection and upcycling of discarded banners, and cooperate on carbon neutrality initiatives.

Eco-friendly banners cost roughly 1.5 times more to produce than conventional plastic (synthetic fiber) banners. The plan calls on financially capable local shipbuilding companies with strong environmental, social and governance track records to lead adoption and drive private-sector demand.

Earlier this year, Geoje enacted an ordinance on the use and recycling of eco-friendly banners and established mandatory requirements for public institutions. The MOU extends that policy to major private companies operating within the city.

To ensure the agreement produces tangible results, South Gyeongsang Province will conduct quarterly reviews and track actual usage through the end of the year. Building on Geoje's experience, the province also plans to gradually encourage eco-friendly banner adoption among major companies and socially responsible businesses across all 18 cities and counties in the province.

Jang Jae-hyeok, director of the province's Urban Housing Bureau, said large companies' participation had been essential to tackling the climate crisis and advancing carbon neutrality. "We will encourage voluntary participation with an eye to easing the burden on businesses, and strengthen oversight to help a genuine resource-circulation system take root," he said.