'RE:FINE Day' held ahead of Resource Circulation Day on Sunday

Collected devices wiped and refurbished or remanufactured for reuse

Remanufactured devices to support digital education for underprivileged children

SK Telecom employees participate in the resource circulation campaign "RE:FINE Day." [SK Telecom]
SK Telecom employees participate in the resource circulation campaign "RE:FINE Day." [SK Telecom]

SK Telecom launched an e-waste resource circulation campaign called "RE:FINE Day" ahead of Resource Circulation Day on Sunday.

SK Telecom said Friday it had held RE:FINE Day, a campaign inviting employees and the next generation to participate together. The initiative aims to bring the company's circular economy strategy, known as "RE:FINE," into employees' daily lives and connect it to environmental education for younger generations.

Last year, SK Telecom established the RE:FINE strategy, which manages the flow of resources based on the circular economy principles of reuse, recycling and conservation.

The campaign consisted of two programs: an e-waste resource circulation program open to employees and their families, and an environmental education program for children at the company's on-site daycare center.

Employees brought unused digital devices from home or the office — including smartphones, feature phones, tablets and laptops — to SK Telecom's headquarters, where Reman, a social enterprise specializing in IT device processing, collected the devices and wiped their data.

The collected devices were then inspected and sorted by condition. Those still usable were refurbished or remanufactured, while those beyond use were broken down for parts and raw materials recycling.

Children at SK Telecom's on-site daycare center listen to an explanation about resource circulation. [SK Telecom]
Children at SK Telecom's on-site daycare center listen to an explanation about resource circulation. [SK Telecom]

SK Telecom plans to assess the condition of the recovered IT devices and donate a corresponding number of remanufactured digital devices to underprivileged children through the Korea Community Child Center Association nationwide. The company said the effort aims to improve children's access to digital education and information.

In addition, SK Telecom plans to provide participating employees with data deletion certificates, carbon neutrality practice points and donation receipts. An online campaign will also run through Sept. 30 for employees and family members unable to attend in person.

The RE:FINE Day campaign was also held simultaneously for employees at Yuhan-Kimberly, an ESG partnership company of SK Telecom. On the same day, SK Telecom conducted resource circulation education for children at its on-site daycare center and other young participants.

The children learned about the value of resources and the meaning of the circular economy through lessons using environmental picture books, and took part in hands-on activities including jigsaw puzzles and making upcycled flowerpots.

"Even IT devices sitting in a drawer can be reborn as tools for the growth of the next generation through a safe process," said Eom Jong-hwan, head of SK Telecom's sustainability management division. "In line with the AI transformation and the growth of the IT industry, we will continue to expand resource circulation models, including telecom infrastructure recycling and eco-friendly retail networks."


chami@heraldcorp.com