Earth Day 2026: Shincheonji Volunteers Reach Korea’s Forgotten "Blind Spots"
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| Volunteers are taking a commemorative photo after conducting an environmental clean-up activity in the area of Musulmok Beach in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. |
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| On 11th April, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch are conducting an environmental clean-up activity in the area of Musulmok Beach in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. |
National Action for Earth Day 2026
While city festivals across South Korea celebrated 56th Earth Day on 22nd April, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group commemorated it with a series of powerful, synchronised campaigns. Thousands of volunteers across Korea headed to "blind spots"—the neglected basins, steep cliffs, and silent bird sanctuaries—proving that no area is too small or too polluted to be restored. Organised by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group– Seoul, Gyeonggi Southern Division, the campaign turned Earth Day into a national movement of action.
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| The Wonju branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group is conducting an environmental cleanup in the Dangye-dong area of Wonju on 11th April. |
In the capital region, the focus was on high-impact action and public awareness.
The Giant Cleanup (Gimpo/Bucheon/Gangseo): 200 volunteers converged on the Ara Bridge in Gimpo. They cleared a staggering 98,000 liters (approx. 3 tonnes) of waste from steep cliffs and hidden thickets that had been neglected for years.
The Walk for Earth (Dongjak/Gwangmyeong): 100 volunteers held a "Walking Performance" at Boramae Park, reminding citizens of the 8:10pm "Lights Out" initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
2. Incheon & Gunsan: Battles Against Coastal Waste
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| Volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Incheon Branch are taking a commemorative photo at Yonghyeon Gaetgol Reservoir in Michuhol district, Incheon on 18th April |
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| Volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Incheon Branch are transporting litter collected at Yonghyeon Gaetgol Reservoir in Michuhol district, Incheon on 18th April. |
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| The Gunsan Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group is collecting marine debris in the area around the Sinsido Saemangeum breakwater on 21st April. |
Incheon (Yonghyeon Basin): 100 volunteers extracted a staggering 5 tonnes of waste (150 bags of 100L each) from a chronic dumping ground, clearing rotting debris and neutralising persistent odours.
Gunsan (Saemangeum Seawall): For the 3rd consecutive year, the Gunsan branch cleared the gateway to the Gogunsan Islands. 60 volunteers recovered 2800 litres of marine litter, specifically targeting plastic waste, which now accounts for over 80% of marine debris.
3. Gyeongsang Region: Innovation in Education
In the south, the campaigns turned environmental protection into an interactive experience.
Creative Recycling (Changwon): At Hanseo Hospital Square, citizens learned to turn plastic bottles into cactus pots. The "Ladder Game" and tumbler surveys made sustainability feel like a fun daily habit rather than a chore.
The Transit Docents (Busan): 150 volunteers at Busan's Jin Market acted as "Environmental Docents," explaining the carbon-reducing benefits of public transportation through flash mobs and street parades.
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| The Jeonju branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group carried out an environmental clean=up activity in the Jeonjucheon area on 18th April. |
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| Gift sets distributed to citizens during a carbon neutrality campaign held at Songuri Butterfly Park on 18th April to commemorate Earth Day. |
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| The Iksan Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group is conducting an environmental clean-up activity on 22nd April in the area of Yetttuk Bridge over Yucheon Stream together with the Iksan DH Association |
4. Goyang (Hwajeong): Small Habits, Big Changes
At Hwajeong Station, five branches (Goyang, Seodaemun, Paju, Namsan, Eunpyeong) focused on the details.
Cigarette Butt Crisis: Volunteers collected 6170 cigarette butts alone, showing the severity of micro-pollution in urban centres.
Upcycling Craft: Citizens were drawn to the booth by socks-neck (waste fabric) crafts, leading to deep conversations about reducing plastic in everyday life.
5. Sokcho: Preserving the Sanctuary for Migratory Birds
At Cheongcho Lake, a vital ecological stopover for thousands of migratory birds, the Sokcho branch focused on "Eco-Hospitality."
At Cheongcho Lake, a vital ecological stopover for thousands of migratory birds, the Sokcho branch focused on "Eco-Hospitality."
Habitat Restoration: As the winter birds departed, volunteers meticulously cleared plastic and micro-litter from the nesting grounds near the observatory to ensure a healthy habitat for the next arrival.
Interactive Awareness: Citizens participated in a unique "Eco-Dice" game, making fun yet firm pledges to use reusable bags and reduce plastic consumption in their daily lives.
6. Ulsan: "Happy BUS-Day" for a Greener Atmosphere
The Transit Parade: 100 participants marched through the city, acting as messengers for the environmental benefits of public transportation.
Local Upcycling: To encourage participation, citizens who pledged to reduce their carbon footprint were gifted whale-shaped toothpaste squeezers—cleverly handcrafted from upcycled plastic bottle caps, a tribute to Ulsan’s marine heritage.
The Ripple of Small Actions
Across all regions, the message was clear: “Earth and Humanity are One.” Whether it was the massive 3-tonne haul in Gimpo or the delicate upcycled pots in Changwon, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group proved that consistent local action is the key to global survival. As one local official in Gimpo noted, “We are grateful to Shincheonji for discovering and leading the cleanup of these neglected zones.”
As the Shincheonji Volunteer Group showed, passion and action can reach across continents, reshaping not just neighbourhoods, but the mindset of future generations.
Let’s carry that momentum forward—because protecting the Earth doesn’t end on 22nd April.
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