The glaciers in Finland are melting rapidly. It is because the atmosphere has been heated by global warming. Plastics are the main contributors to global warming. Plastics emit a large amount of pollutants and carbon from the moment they are made until they are discarded. Also, micro plastic flows into the sea, and it destroys the habitats of marine organisms and threatens their lives.
When a glacier melts, a tremendous amount of micro plastic is released.

The WeLoveU carried out the “BeBRAVE” Challenge for the month of July to reduce plastics which contribute to global warming. It is a challenge to reduce carbon by using reusable containers instead of disposable items or plastic packaging when purchasing goods or food. This challenge required members to have courage to tell a store or restaurant they would use a reusable container that they prepared, but they were willing to participate in the challenge to save the earth. Let’s hear the reviews of the WeLoveU members who participated in the “BeBRAVE” Challenge.

😄 Store Owners Welcome the Challenge 😄

Pham Thi Kieu from Vietnam

I was very happy to hear about the “BeBRAVE” Challenge. It was similar to the policy of the store where I work: “We do not provide plastic bags. Customers should bring their own bags.” Many people have not yet adapted to the policy, but I think stores should do something for the environment. I participated in the challenge when I bought the ingredients for chicken noodles at a store near my house. The owner was very excited and joyful when I asked for the chicken and gave it in the bucket I had brought. I want to have a positive influence on people around me by doing the challenge continuously.

Pham Thi Kieu from Vietnam

Goh Hye-sung from Korea

I asked the restaurant near my house to put the spicy stir-fried pork with rice in the container that I brought. The owner was familiar with it and said, “Sometimes, there are customers who bring their containers.” The restaurant owner said I was doing a good job and gave me more food than the normal amount. I was worried that the restaurant owner found it inconvenient for him, but rather, I received a compliment and he gave me more food. I felt proud of becoming a little hero who protects the environment.

Goh Hye-sung from Korea

Kim Cho-hee from Korea

I visited a small store that sells drinks and food together. I explained to the owner about the challenge, and she was pleased to help me with the challenge. She said she would think of an event that would benefit those who bring a reusable container. I am happy that my small practice has a good influence on our community.

Kim Cho-hee from Korea

Oh Han-nah from Korea

I told the store owner who is interested in the sustainability about the “BeBrave” Challenge. She was really happy to hear that and strongly encouraged me to do that. At first, it was a little inconvenient not to use disposable items, but now I am used to it. Now, I don’t find it inconvenient any more. I will continue to use reusable containers.

Oh Han-nah from Korea

Kang Jin-suk from Korea

I often went to a Tteokbokki restaurant and took my container there. The boss didn’t recognize me right away, maybe because I was wearing a mask. But whens he saw my bowl, she recognized it right away.

Kang Jin-suk from Korea

✌ Joy Is Doubled When Doing It for the Environment! ✌

Angelica Huerta from U.S.

At first, I thought the challenge was difficult. But it wasn’t. I just carried my water bottle with me. When I drive with my friends, I used less disposable items like plastic straws than before. The challenge was even more fun because I did it with my friends.

Angelica Huerta from U.S.

Shin Sun-hwa from Korea

I bought delicious steamed dumplings at the restaurant that I regularly go. When I handed my container for the takeout, the owner liked it and carefully put the dumplings in the container. It does not seem that it contributed a lot for the environment, but by doing so, I was able to avoid using three styrofoam containers. I will be braver to use my container at stores by participating in the “BeBRAVE” challenge.

Shin Sun-hwa from Korea

Chae Rin from Korea

I went to a cafe with my aunts. It was awkward at first to show my tumbler, but once I used it, I was happy that I did it for the environment. While having a drink, I saw the receipt, and I realized that I got a discount because I brought my own tumbler! I will continue to carry my tumbler.

Chae Rin from Korea

Elle Lo from the Philippines

I’m really happy to contribute to environmental sustainability just by using a tumbler.

Elle Lo from the Philippines

Gye Gyeong-nam from Korea

Whenever I had a drink, I used my personal tumbler and cup. One cafe gave a big discount of 400 KRW as I used my personal tumbler. Since I wash my own cup, I do not worry how clean a mug from a cafe is.

Gye Gyeong-nam from Korea

May May from Vietnam

When I go to my hometown, I use this bag to go grocery shopping. It is not fancy but sturdy and environmentally friendly. As plastic waste overflows and the global temperature is rising, the city of Hanoi made this bag as a part of an environmental campaign. Today, buying vegetables, I used this bag.

May May from Vietnam

🍩 Put Your Children’s Snacks in a Container! 🍩

Lachand (nickname)

I served corndogs at the study meeting. My children and I put corndogs in a big container and brought them to the meeting. One kid said that he participated in the “BeBRAVE” Challenge at an ice cream shop with his parents. We will also participate in the August Challenge with our children.

Lachand (nickname)

Kim Woon-hee from Korea

I handed out the containers I brought from home to the children and explained to them the challenge. We were on the way to buy donuts together, and the children were excited to participate in the challenge for the environment. The store owner said it was rather convenient to serve it in a container. While we were eating donuts together, one of the children was full and asked, “Can I put the leftover in the container and bring the container back to you later?” I told him that he could do that for sure. It is great to act for the environment in our daily lives.

Kim Woon-hee from Korea

Lee Gwi-soon from Korea

It’s hot these days, so we drink a lot of cool refreshments. I explained the challenge to my son, wishing to reduce the amount of plastic and protect the environment. I hoped we would participate in the challenge and have a good experience. When these small practices are done consistently, there will be a big change, right?

Disposable product, NO! Plastic, NO! Reusable containers, YES! I will continuously practice it.

Lee Gwi-soon from Korea

🛒 Use Refill Stations and Zero-Waste Shops 🛒

Lee Joo-hyun from Korea

Cereal refill station! A chance to think of the environment! You can have as many types of cereal as you like! It’s 20% cheaper than the regular price! It was fun, economical, and sustainable!

Lee Joo-hyun from Korea

Kim Han-la from Korea

Last winter, I found an eco-friendly store located in Namyangju, which practices recycling and zero-waste, and have a refill station. Here, I purchased dish detergent using effective microorganisms (EM) and natural bleach, which prevent water pollution, and put them in reusable containers.

Kim Han-la from Korea

📷 Unfinished Stories by Pictures 📷