Make Wise Consumption, My MEANING OUT at the Green Market
Have you ever heard about MEANING OUT?
‘Meaning out’ is a portmanteau word that consists of the words ‘meaning’ and ‘coming out.’ This is to express personal beliefs or values through consumption which is spreading among MZ generations who want to make a meaningful impact on the society and the environment. According to the 2021 KB Financial Group’s Trend Report, 5 out of 10 (55.6%) consumers responded that the best way to practice eco-friendly is through ‘consumption.’ This result shows that all generations are in transition from materialistic consumption to value-oriented consumption.
<KB Financial Group Trend Report>
What is the Green Product and Green Market?
Article 2 (5) of the「Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth」 states that, a Green Product is a product that minimizes the use of energy resources and the generating of greenhouse gasses and pollutants. Compared to the other products, Green Products conserve natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. These products are certified with Green Label, Good Recycled and Low Carbon, as shown below.
Green Market is where you can find these Green Products. According to Article 18 (3) of the 「Act on the Promotion of Purchase of Green Products」, starting 2011, the Ministry of Environment enforced ‘Green Market Designated System’ at supermarkets, department stores, agriculture and marine products distribution center (>3,000㎡), consumer cooperative, and retail stores. The current status of nationwide private green stores is at a total of 405 stores; 189 in Seoul, Gyeonggi, 84 in central, 80 in Yeongnam, and 52 in Honam and Jeju (as of June, 2021). By May, 2022, the number will increase to 432 stores.
Article 2 (5) of the「Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth」 states that, a Green Product is a product that minimizes the use of energy resources and the generating of greenhouse gasses and pollutants. Compared to the other products, Green Products conserve natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. These products are certified with Green Label, Good Recycled and Low Carbon, as shown below.
<Green Products Certification | Green Label>
These Green Markets have been operated both publicly and privately. However, the public operated stores have been very actively promoted that the purchase rate has reached 87%, whereas the private operated store has not so much. To vitalize green consumption for the private Green Markets followed by public Green Markets, the government has been persistently updating promotion of purchase plan since 2018. Thus, through ‘2021 The 4th Framework Plan for the Promotion of Green Products Purchase,’ the private Green Market will actively expand eco-friendly consumption by △Strengthening the basis of green consumption, △Expanding consumer-oriented green products, △Enhancing eco-friendly consumption and △Creating a new green market.
Also, the Ministry of Environment is operating the online market called “Green Store,” that is exclusively for Green Products and to enhance the convenience of mandatory Green Product purchase. Last September, the ministry concluded ‘Business Agreement on the Spread of Online Distribution of Green Products' with three companies that for two years, eco-friendly products will be eligible for consumers through the online stores exclusively for Green Products.
From the Ministry of Environment’s eco-friendly product recognition survey (‘20.11), the general interest in Green Products rose from 78.1% in 2016 to 91.5% in 2019, and the experience of purchasing Green Products rose from 60.1% in 2016 to 87.8% in 2019. Hence, it seems to be a very appropriate time to expand the private operated Green Markets.
Also, the Ministry of Environment is operating the online market called “Green Store,” that is exclusively for Green Products and to enhance the convenience of mandatory Green Product purchase. Last September, the ministry concluded ‘Business Agreement on the Spread of Online Distribution of Green Products' with three companies that for two years, eco-friendly products will be eligible for consumers through the online stores exclusively for Green Products.
Green Market, What We Know and What to Consider
Then, we should take a look at the local Green Market.
The very first green specialty market that will raise cultural awareness of green consumption and where consumers can explore eco-friendly consumption was opened in 2020. What made this store draw all the attention from the public is that this store took a step further from the existing stores by supporting ‘Zero Waste.’ Though this store sells various low carbon certified agricultural products and eco-friendly necessities, it is disheartening to see the store still sells products with double-packed or plastic packed products.
In fact, we can easily encounter green product signs or eco-friendly certification products at our local supermarkets. Yet, they often confuse consumers by displaying eco-friendly products with non eco-friendly products, lack of information and limited selections which leaves a great disappointment. Subsequently, as a result of the 2021 evaluation of 5 supermarkets, operated by the Jeju Green Purchasing Support Center, showed that displaying, labeling and accessibility of green products were in good condition. But, the 2020 evaluation of green markets across the metropolitan cities was found to be overall insufficient, which requires improved consumer-conscious store management.
<Businesskorea>
In fact, we can easily encounter green product signs or eco-friendly certification products at our local supermarkets. Yet, they often confuse consumers by displaying eco-friendly products with non eco-friendly products, lack of information and limited selections which leaves a great disappointment. Subsequently, as a result of the 2021 evaluation of 5 supermarkets, operated by the Jeju Green Purchasing Support Center, showed that displaying, labeling and accessibility of green products were in good condition. But, the 2020 evaluation of green markets across the metropolitan cities was found to be overall insufficient, which requires improved consumer-conscious store management.
Green Market Expansion
In Statistics Korea’s report, compared to 2001’s, the number of eco-friendly retail markets has grown 20 times in 2020. We can see that the consciousness for green products led to consumer market.
In Statistics Korea’s report, compared to 2001’s, the number of eco-friendly retail markets has grown 20 times in 2020. We can see that the consciousness for green products led to consumer market.
<KEITI(2020) | Ministry of Environment of Korea . KODIA(2020)>
Nevertheless, green markets have been structured within the government policies that the purchasing was mainly from the public operated stores. To establish a voluntary and solid eco-friendly private market system, an eco-friendly consumption culture, product production and distribution structure support system, securing a purchasing platform and diversity of green products must be implemented. Additionally, to restore the lost trust of eco-friendly products from greenwashing, an improved certification system and rigid operating system must be considered.
Considering Consequences
Professor William Rees from the University of Columbia stated that humanity consumes more than 30% of the world's resources than it can preserve. Besides, about 60-80% of the global environment impact is from daily consumption, not from industrial activities. A Norwegian University of Science and Technology team conducted research on the environmental impact of producing necessities. As a result, consumers are accountable for more than 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and more than 80% of global water use.
We are living in a time where not only manufacturers but consumers also are required to take responsibility for making a purchase with keeping environmental consequences in mind. Many consumers are already making ethical choices for the global environment and this will guide companies to make the right product plan and the government to speed up the policies.
Then, why don’t we visit the local Green Market and make our consumption worthwhile for the future? Meaning Out at the Green Market can be the start of a small change for the greater good.
Professor William Rees from the University of Columbia stated that humanity consumes more than 30% of the world's resources than it can preserve. Besides, about 60-80% of the global environment impact is from daily consumption, not from industrial activities. A Norwegian University of Science and Technology team conducted research on the environmental impact of producing necessities. As a result, consumers are accountable for more than 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and more than 80% of global water use.
We are living in a time where not only manufacturers but consumers also are required to take responsibility for making a purchase with keeping environmental consequences in mind. Many consumers are already making ethical choices for the global environment and this will guide companies to make the right product plan and the government to speed up the policies.
Then, why don’t we visit the local Green Market and make our consumption worthwhile for the future? Meaning Out at the Green Market can be the start of a small change for the greater good.
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