In March 2024, a notable environmental and community transformation began in a quiet alley corner of Songha-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju, South Jeolla Province. What was once a neglected spot frequently littered with single-use items and trash was cleared and replaced with vibrant flowers. These flowers were planted not in ordinary pots, but in upcycled tires that had been washed, painted, and repurposed for gardening. The project was launched by the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group, led by Branch Head Hyeon-soo Hong. Following the initial success in Songha-dong, nearby residents and village heads requested similar projects for their own neighborhoods. As a result, this mini garden creation initiative expanded from Songha-dong to surrounding rural areas, including Hwasun-gun and Naju-si.
Event Overview
Initiative Scope, Key Locations, and Purpose
The upcycled mini garden project was initiated to tackle urban blight and illegal dumping in neglected alleyways. Between March 2024 and early 2025, the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group carried out 20 separate garden creation sessions. Across these 20 activities, volunteers repurposed approximately 350 discarded tires into functional planters.
The main locations involved in this initiative include:
- Songha-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju: The starting point of the project in March 2024, where an alleyway corner filled with trash was converted into the first mini garden.
- Baeka-面 Maeng-ri Village, Hwasun-gun: Expanded location following requests from local residents who saw the initial project in Songha-dong.
- Gyodong-gil, Hwasun: Additional location added after local residents explicitly requested garden installations at their village entrance.
- Ungsil Village, Bonghwang-面, Naju-si: Site of a mini garden created in February 2025.
- Osung 2nd Apartment, Hwasun-gun: Location of a joint effort in May 2024 involving local government material support.
- Sansu Market: A local market entrance where mini gardens were installed to brighten the space for shoppers and visitors.
The core objective of the initiative is to eliminate chronic garbage accumulation points, beautify empty neighborhood spaces, and foster long-term community cooperation between volunteers and local residents.
Main Activities
Step-by-Step Upcycling Process and Maintenance
The creation of each mini garden involves a structured step-by-step process carried out by volunteers, often in collaboration with local residents:
- Tire Selection and Cleaning: Volunteers select suitable discarded tires that can hold soil and withstand weather conditions. The tires are thoroughly washed to remove dirt and residue.
- Surface Preparation and Painting: The outer surface of each tire is hand-prepped and painted with bright colors to transform its appearance from industrial waste into decorative outdoor planters.
- Soil Preparation and Planting: Volunteers fill the painted tires with soil and fertilizer before planting a variety of flowers and small trees.
- Site Placement and Cleanup: Completed tire planters are moved to designated target locations—such as alley corners, village entrances, and unused spaces near buildings. Volunteers and residents work together to clean the surrounding grounds.
Beyond initial installations, the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group maintains an ongoing upkeep schedule. Volunteers return to existing sites to replant flowers, replace withered greenery, and repair damaged tire planters. In May 2024, when creating mini gardens at Osung 2nd Apartment in Hwasun-gun, the local Hwasun-gun government contributed bricks and flowers, while volunteers refurbished the surrounding flowerbeds alongside the new tire planters.
In addition to physical gardening, the Songha Branch leveraged the mini gardens as a foundation for broader community engagement programs. The group organized social gatherings and horticultural programs tailored for senior citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Key Messages and Responses
Resident Feedback and Stakeholder Participation
The reaction from neighborhood residents and local community leaders has been central to the project's expansion. A resident from Songha-dong noted the immediate environmental change, stating that a corner where trash used to pile up was successfully transformed into a garden. On Hwasun Gyodong-gil, passing residents actively requested expanding the project, asking if a garden could also be made at their village entrance.
Local business leaders and municipal bodies also responded positively to the initiative. A representative from the Sansu Market Merchants Association expressed appreciation after the installation, sharing that the market entrance became noticeably brighter. The representative confirmed that market personnel, together with local senior job program participants, committed to regularly watering and managing the newly installed flower gardens.
A official from the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group explained the origin and evolution of the effort: "It started with the simple idea of transforming just one alley corner using discarded waste tires. Now, residents actively request new gardens and participate in maintaining the existing ones. The greatest significance lies in how an idea that began with 'how to reuse waste tires' grew into a shared effort with residents to care for local spaces together." The official added that the branch will continue to inspect and maintain existing sites alongside residents rather than focusing solely on adding new locations.
Meaning of the Event
Environmental Upcycling and Community Cohesion
The upcycled mini garden initiative carried out by the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group demonstrates a practical model for local environmental improvement. By converting over 350 waste tires into durable planters, the group addressed two urban challenges simultaneously: reducing industrial waste and preventing illegal dumping in vulnerable alleyways. Furthermore, the initiative shifted from a unilateral volunteer effort into a collaborative community project, where local residents, village leaders, market associations, and local government bodies contribute materials, request new locations, and share ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
The mini garden project organized by the Songha Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group highlights how discarded materials can be re-purposed to improve everyday neighborhood spaces. Spanning 20 activities across Gwangju, Hwasun, and Naju, the initiative turned neglected street corners into managed green spots through upcycling and active resident participation.
What are your thoughts on using upcycled waste materials like tires to beautify neighborhood alleys? Leave a comment below to share your ideas on local community projects!
Community Upcycling Initiatives by Shincheonji Volunteer Group
Neighborhood Beautification Programs
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