폐방화복으로 만든 가방 팔아… 암투병 소방관 돕죠

November 9th marks National Firefighters' Day here in Korea, a day to acknowledge those serving our community and to be fully prepared for future disasters.
Bae Eun-ji looks into a company that upcycles firefighters' uniforms to raise money for those suffering from cancer.
In this small space in a basement, people are busy making bags and accessories.
All of these products are made out of old firefighter uniforms.
"These firefighter uniforms are worn out from constant use in burning buildings.
But instead of being thrown away, they have been turned into fashionable bags."
And the company that makes them, 119 REO, donates half of its revenues to firefighters who are suffering from cancer.
The name 'REO' stands for "Rescue Each Other".
The funds have been given to five firefighters so far, and five more will be added to the list of recipients by the end of the year.
"Our goal is to upcycle firefighter uniforms worldwide. We want to become a business that can help firefighters in other countries as well."
Not only is this business for a good cause, but it is also good for the environment.
Out of the 34 tons of uniforms that are thrown away each year in South Korea,... the company collects 7 tons... or approximately two-thousand uniforms.
Even the packaging is done in an environmentally friendly way, using forest materials which are gathered without cutting down trees.
"By people wearing bags and accessories made from actual uniforms, I think it is a great opportunity for them to think once more about firefighters."
119 REO is not the only company that helps out others.
A calendar featuring shirtless and buffed-up firefighters has been made for the last seven years to raise money for those suffering from burn injuries.
72-thousand calendars have been sold in those 7 years... raising around 540 thousand dollars.
Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.