[비즈한국] Hanssem009240 is drawing attention as it accelerates resource circulation and ecosystem restoration through multifaceted eco-friendly corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that leverage its identity as a furniture manufacturer. Based on its sense of responsibility as a company that works with timber, Hanssem is creating "specialized forests" nationwide while also striving to reduce carbon emissions through an "upcycling project" that repurposes plastic inventory into bathroom accessories.
Creating a Forest Even in Fire-Ravaged Andong
According to a Hanssem representative, the company has been expanding region-specific "Hanssem Forests" every year with the goal of addressing the climate crisis and conserving biodiversity. Following the "Honey-Source Forest (No. 1)" in Samcheok, Gangwon-do, in 2024, it established an "Urban Forest (No. 2)" in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do, in 2025.
Recently, the company partnered with the non-profit organization "Peace Forest" to restore forests in the Pungcheon-myeon area of Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which had been damaged by wildfires. In the "Hanssem Forest No. 3," completed last April, about 1,500 wild cherry trees, known for their strong vitality even in harsh environments, were planted. This is because wild cherry trees not only quickly restore soil fertility to barren land but are also broad-leaved honey plants that serve as a food source for insects such as honeybees. Hanssem announced that it plans to take responsibility for operating a regular ecological management program for the next five years, including expert monitoring, weeding, and pruning, to ensure the trees can fully thrive on their own.
'Forest of Happiness' in Siheung's Green-Deprived Geobuk Island
On-site volunteer activities with active employee participation are also underway. Hanssem reported that for Arbor Day last April, about 30 employees joined the "Forest of Happiness" planting event hosted by the Siheung City Hall.
The project created a buffer green space in the Geobuk Island area of Siheung, which lacks greenery due to land reclamation, to block fine dust and improve air quality. Considering the characteristics of the Siheung-Ansan region, where manufacturing facilities are concentrated, Hanssem employees planted 125 Japanese black pines, which have excellent windbreak effects, in a dense formation on an approximately 180㎡ plot of land. A Hanssem representative stated that these trees will also be managed stably by professional staff.
Turning Discarded Furniture Parts into Accessories… Plastic Upcycling
Hanssem shared that its upcycling project, aimed at reducing resource waste generated during the furniture distribution process, is also a core pillar of its environmental conservation efforts. The company has established a resource circulation system that breathes new life into obsolete inventory rather than simply discarding it.
Recently, in collaboration with the eco-friendly platform "More Store," the company collected "Samkids Storage Bins" made of plastic that had become difficult to sell. By utilizing the properties of PP (polypropylene), which is durable and moisture-resistant, they were reborn into 300 sets of modern-designed bathroom accessories, including soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and tube squeezers. According to Hanssem, the carbon emissions reduced through this project alone amount to approximately 300kg.
The produced bathroom accessory sets were delivered to vulnerable families, including multicultural and North Korean defector families, in the Siheung, Gyeonggi-do area, where Hanssem's Factory 5 is located. In addition, employees gathered at the Siheung Family Center to handcraft and donate eco-friendly shampoo bars that do not require plastic packaging, adding to the meaning of local community coexistence.
A Hanssem representative said, "Environmental conservation activities, along with space improvement initiatives, are the two pillars of our social contribution that leverage the nature of Hanssem's business. We will continue to contemplate the role of a corporation in the face of the climate crisis and strive to create a sustainable daily life."