Dobong-gu turns storm-felled trees into custom furniture for low-income households

Dobong-gu in Seoul has provided custom-made household furniture to 28 low-income families, using timber salvaged from trees destroyed by natural disasters.

The project recycles trees felled or killed by typhoons and heavy rain — wood that would otherwise be discarded — into everyday furniture, part of a resource-circulation initiative. The district aims to reduce carbon emissions by putting waste timber to use while improving living conditions for vulnerable residents.

Professional woodworking instructors from the district's Wood Culture Experience Center led the furniture production. Each instructor visited the recipient household in person to assess what types and sizes of furniture were needed before crafting the pieces.

The district selected the 28 beneficiary households — two per neighborhood — based on referrals from community service centers across its 14 administrative neighborhoods. Items provided include dining tables, desks, chests of drawers and storage cabinets.

Dobong-gu District Mayor Kim Dong-wook said it was meaningful to see damaged and dead trees reborn as wooden furniture that low-income families genuinely need. "We will continue to pursue support projects for vulnerable groups through timber recycling and work to realize the value of walking alongside those in need," Kim said.