Korea Philip Morris said on the 20th that it launched an environmental cleanup effort to protect the Milyang Dam source water protection zone, the community's drinking water source, to mark World Water Day on the 22nd.
The effort was organized by Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, to preserve the clean water quality of Milyang Dam and raise community awareness about protecting water resources. It is a public-private cooperative environmental action involving local governments, the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Korea Philip Morris, and local residents.
Korea Philip Morris took part for the second consecutive year after last year. The company said it joined the cleanup as part of responsible water management in line with the aims of Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification.
About 150 people participated on site, including Korea Philip Morris employees, the Yangsan City Hall water quality management division, the Wondong-myeon administrative welfare center, the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Wondong Elementary School, and local residents.
Participants collected trash left along the upper riverbanks of the source water protection zone and checked for sources of water pollution, carrying out activities to help build a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Korea Philip Morris said the Yangsan plant has continued to invest in related technologies for stable water quality management and reduced water consumption. It is applying smart environmental management systems on the production floor, including operating its own water quality management guidelines that exceed legal standards, running a microalgae-based carbon reduction facility that reutilizes wastewater from the plant, and using a cooling tower recycled-water supply system.
Haroon Bashir, head of Korea Philip Morris' Yangsan plant, said, "It is meaningful to be able to carry out on-site environmental cleanup together with related agencies and local residents," adding, "As a responsible member of the Yangsan community, Korea Philip Morris will actively take part in efforts to preserve the local ecosystem."