![The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs has placed "conscience umbrellas" made from discarded banners at the Jochiwon traditional market and Daepyeong Market in Sejong. [TIPA]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/09/14/news-p.v1.20260914.ffddf9f1fe5c4f0aaa7a771688aea1c9_P1.jpeg)
Umbrella stands installed at two Sejong markets
Visitors shielded from heat, sudden rain
Satisfaction survey planned this month to gauge impact
The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) announced Monday that it donated "conscience umbrellas" made from discarded banners to the Jochiwon traditional market and Daepyeong Market in Sejong on Friday.
The initiative was designed to promote resource recycling by repurposing discarded banners while easing the inconvenience of market visitors caught in extreme heat or sudden rain.
TIPA collected used banners, had them made into conscience umbrellas and placed them — along with dedicated stands — at the entrance of the Jochiwon traditional market's parking tower and at the entrance of Daepyeong Market.
The umbrellas are available for visitors to borrow freely during heat waves or rain and return after use. To go beyond a one-time donation and gauge actual user satisfaction, TIPA plans to conduct a star-sticker satisfaction survey at the markets this month.
Discarded banners — widely used for elections, events and promotional campaigns before being thrown away — are among the most common forms of household waste. Local governments and public institutions are increasingly running upcycling projects that repurpose the material into everyday items such as shopping bags, sacks and umbrellas.
"I hope this initiative helps improve the convenience of traditional market visitors and brings a little more vitality to local markets," TIPA President Kim Young-shin said. "We will continue to pursue a variety of eco-friendly activities that we can carry out together with local communities."
hong@heraldcorp.com
