The university student volunteer group ASEZ, composed of students from Chungbuk National University (CBNU), has been continuously engaging in activities to improve the campus environment and raise environmental awareness in the local community. On April 17, CBNU ASEZ carried out a “Green Campus Cleanup Activity” in the Sachang-dong area, Cheongju, collecting household waste along a roughly 1km (0.62 miles) stretch near the university. A total of 15 students participated, collecting six 20-liter bags of waste in a short time, achieving a noticeable improvement in the area’s cleanliness.
The area around CBNU, known for its high density of restaurants and foot traffic, often struggles with issues such as illegal waste disposal and declining sanitation. ASEZ regularly conducts cleanup efforts in this area on a monthly basis, aiming not only to beautify the surroundings but also to raise civic awareness of environmental responsibility within the community. The initiative is recognized as an exemplary case of public-private cooperation, as it is supported by the Sachang-dong Administrative Welfare Center, which provides garbage bags and other materials.
An ASEZ representative from Cheongju stated, “Students have taken the initiative to clean the often-neglected university streets, aiming to create a more pleasant and hygienic learning environment.”
The students’ voluntary participation added deeper meaning to the activity. Kim Ye-ji, a senior at CBNU, shared, “I’ve been consistently involved in ASEZ’s environmental cleanups during my university years, and I feel a strong sense of fulfillment in taking care of the space I belong to.” Jang Yoon-seo, a first-year student participating for the first time, said, “I felt proud seeing the clean streets afterward, and I want to keep participating to help build a better world.”
CBNU ASEZ’s cleanup efforts are not one-off campaigns; they continue on a monthly basis, rotating through areas near the campus as part of their commitment to creating a sustainable campus. These activities go beyond simply removing trash—they contribute to spreading awareness about the responsibility of environmental stewardship in the local community.
Since 2018, ASEZ has been carrying out the “Green Campus” project across university campuses around the world. Starting with environmental protection in everyday campus spaces, the initiative aims to spark climate action at the city, national, and even global level. The continued efforts of CBNU ASEZ serve as a strong example of how the value of “sustainability” can be realized through practical action in everyday spaces, and their model is expected to expand into even more regions in the future.
