CASE STUDY: LG tackles environmental issues in Vietnam

Background
'Two-wheelers' are a ubiquitous sight in Vietnam, with one in four of the country’s 91 million residents estimated to own a motorcycle. With such high penetration, particularly in major cities, disposable facemasks are widely used throughout the country. The masks are sold on street corners for around US$0.33 cents, with almost everyone throwing their masks away after use.

Aim
LG’s aim was to create a year-long project that would recylcle discarded facemasks into bright patchwork quilts for donation to local orphanages. The aim was to reduce the environmental impact of discarded facemasks as well as create employment opportunities and warmth and comfort to the needy. 

Execution
People were asked to donate their used facemasks, which were washed using the LG Allergy Care Washing Machine. Seamstresses were employed to sew the clean facemasks together as patchwork comforters, at a labour cost of US$12 per quilt. The quilts were then donated to children at orphanages in Ho Chi Minh City.

Results
75 per cent of people donated their facemask on the spot with 68 per cent donating more than once. The weekly collection quota was exceeded by an average of over 40 per cent.