EASY 10 Ways To Cut Down Plastic Use

The use of plastic containers has increased significantly as the number of delivery foods and small-batch packaging has increased.

Plastics take a very long time to decompose. And since it is known that microplastics and substances from plastics have adverse effects on humans as well as marine life, there are many people who are campaigning to reduce plastics.

I am also working hard personally to reduce the use of plastic by not using plastic bags at the mart and reducing food delivery.

Plastic waste from life

So, here are 10 simple ways you can use plastic very easily.

1. Use a personal cup(tumbler) at café
2. Reduce the use of plastic straws and sip sticks
3. Use Eco Bags at mart
4. Purchase label-free products(bottled water and beverages)
5. Use reusable food containers
6. Refuse disposable items for food delivery
7. Make online-orders together
8. Boycott overpackaged products and send a boycott message to the company
9. Reduce unnecessary use of plastic wrap
10. Use bundled products rather than individual packaging

These above are 10 ways that we can easily apply in our daily lives to help reduce the use of plastics.

I think there are many ways that we can practice if you pay a little attention. A small effort will be required for the environment in which we will live and the environment in which our future generations will live.

[Learning Korean]Emotion Pub? gamseongjujeom?

Gamseongjujeom(감성주점) is one of the hottest words in South Korea now, because of COVID19. As many young people go to there and do close-contact each other, that behavior causes COVID19 spread.

And then what is Gamseongjujeom?

Gamseong literally means emotion and Jujeom is where alcoholic drinks are sold like a pub. But the meaning from the words is twisted and changed with other meaning.

GamseongJujeom can be defined like below

In the form of a pub where young people, such as mainly early 20s, go , it is similar to a regular pub, but with music and stage that can be danced, dance between tables if there is no space to dance. This is a pub that can be used as an intermediate form between a club and a general pub and they usually go there to find a new partner.

GamseongJujeom, what is the difference from a general pub?

According to Korean Law(ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE FOOD SANITATION ACT), the food service business can be divided into six categories.

Food service business:
(a) Rest restaurant business: Business of cooking and selling mainly tea, ice cream, etc., or cooking and selling foods in fast food stores or snack bars, where drinking is not allowed: Provided, That the same shall not apply where water is poured into instant cup noodle, instant tea or other foods in the places which sell foods such as convenience stores, supermarkets and rest areas
(b) General restaurant business: Business of cooking and selling foods, where drinking accompanied with meals is allowed;
(c) Karaoke bar business: Business of cooking and selling mainly alcoholic beverages, where customers are allowed to sing;
(d) Entertainment bar business: Business of cooking and selling mainly alcoholic beverages, where workers engaged in entertainment may be employed or entertainment facilities may be established, and customers may sing or dance;
(e) Catering service business: Business of cooking and providing foods in facilities providing meals, in accordance with a contract concluded with persons who establish and operate facilities providing meals;
(f) Bakery business: Business of manufacturing and selling mainly bread, rice cake, snacks, etc., where drinking is not allowed.

In South Korea, a pub is usually a General restaurant business but in a nutshell, a pub with dance is a Entertainment bar business. And the businesses are subjected to different tax rate.

[Learn Korean] Mini Signs that you can see at KTX

KTX(Korea Train eXpress) is the fastest train system in South Korea. And its railways are connected everywhere in South Korea from Seoul.

So if you arrive at the Incheon airport and you plan to travel Korean local city, it is one of the best choices to take the KTX train. As it takes two and half hours from Seoul to Busan.

In KTX train, you can find mini signs that has long and meaningful Korean words but also has just short English translation.

Let's see some of them and learn Korean.

1. The first mini sign is here. You will probably find it on the window frame or on window.
Luckily there is a simple pictogram with it but no translation in English. And the pictogram cannot express what the words mean.

창문의 블라인드 손잡이를 아래로 끌어내리면 햇빛을 가릴 수 있습니다.

Although the pictogram just says that there is a window blind being able to go down, Korean words say it in some different way.

You can block the sunlight by dragging the window blind's handle down.

I have no idea why they write it like that. Too long and too kind. It feels like a window blind is not usual thing here.

2. Second, about KTX Mini Library. If you have a first class ticket of KTX, you can see the KTX Mini Library near the entrance of the first class cabin. And below the simple mini sign, there is some words that say something.

[부탁합니다] 책을 보신 후 다음 승객을 위해 KTX 미니도서관에 놓아주시기 바랍니다.

There is only Korean language books, so maybe someone does not think that foreign people do not use the library, that's why the sentence is not translated.

After reading the book, please return it at the KTX Mini Library for the next passenger.

 3. There is a hidden useful button that even some Koreans don't know about it. The button is above the cabin door and the function of the button is 'open the door for 3 minutes'. When you get on the train, you can push the button for the people behind you like a 'I -well-know-the KTX' person.

3분열림버튼(Open the door for 3 minutes)

4. Last. You can see the sign above. And it is just like the international standard sign of no smoking. But there is more.

화장실에서 흡연 시 화재감지 장치가 작동하여 열차가 비상정차 됩니다.

In English,

When smoking in the bathroom, the fire detection device operates, and the train stops.

I don't know why the Korean sentence below the sign is not translated. Anyway I'm sure that even smokers do not want to stop the train accidentally.

What would you do if you lost your shoes at the Korean restaurant in Korea?

In South Korea, there are many Korean style restaurants where you should leave your shoes by the door area to go to a table for food and service.

Usually the system is not a problem but when there are crowded, some bad incidents are happened.

What is the events? LOSING SHOES.

It happened barely. When bad luck hits you, it can be you and your shoes can be disappeared without any clue.

What if your shoes are disappeared at that kind of Korean restaurant?

What will you do? What should you do?

Maybe the owner of the restaurant can say that he has no responsibility for your shoes. Or  there can be the board on the door or on the wall near the counter that says 'Keep your shoes by yourself to prevent loss and stolen'.

And possibly if the owner is kind and you are lucky enough, he will provide you a pair of slipper(slip-on shoes) for free so you can leave the restaurant.

Do you think the slipper is the best happy ending you can have?

I don't think so.

In Korea, there are laws to protect consumers. In this kind of case, there is Commercial Act about hospitality business.

The hospitality business is in the business of making transactions by theaters, hotels, restaurants, or other facilities used by the public. And anyone who engages in this business is called a hospitality service provider.

The Commercial Act regulates the liability of hospitality service providers.

Commercial Act Article 152 (Liability of Hospitality Service Providers)
(1) Unless a hospitality service provider proves that he/she has not been negligent in giving due care in the custody of articles deposited from his/her guests to him/her or his/her employee, the hospitality service provider shall be liable for damage resulting from the loss of or damage to the articles kept in his/her custody.
(2) A hospitality service provider shall be liable for damage for the loss of or damage to portable goods brought into his/her establishments, even if not particularly deposited by the guest, when it is due to the lack of due care of the business entity or any of his/her employees.
(3) No hospitality service provider shall be exonerated from liability under paragraphs (1) and (2), even if he/she has informed that he/she is not liable for the loss of or damage to the portable goods of guests.

Yes, it says the hospitality service providers shall be liable for the loss of or damage to the articles kept in his/her custody.

So when you take off your shoes and put them at the door and go to a table, it is thought that you and the owner of the restaurant make a contract containing that the owner keeps your belongs(shoes).

Even though the owner notices to the customers that no responsibility for loss and stolen, the owner's liability is not waived.

Now you know your right, and you can say to the owner like that

"Please, take your responsibility that is gave by Commercial Act Article 152. And give me back my shoes or show me the money!"

Of course, there is the statute of limitation for period for the liability. The period is 6 months.

Which means you should act for your right in 6 month after the incident.

And this law can be applied on car damage/stolen at parking lot where the owner controls.

Surface Preparations For Powder Coating

Surface preparation is one of the most important factors in powder coatings as well as liquid coatings and almost all coatings.

Surface preparation is often expressed as surface pretreatment or surface treatment.

Surface pretreatment for painting can be approached in two main ways.

1. Surface cleanliness

When we think about the surface preparation, there is a famous well-known standard for it. It is ISO 8501(Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Visual assessment of surface cleanliness).

And its title said 'surface cleanliness'. Because this is an important factor in surface preparation, and most surface preparation methods are used to make the surface clean.

2. Improving Adhesion

In the painting preparation process, the surface pre-treatment through the cleaning or post-cleaning process usually involves a process to increase the adhesion between the coating and the substrate. One way to increase adhesion is to increase the surface area physically and chemically, such as by shot/grit blasting or conversion coating.

Anyway, surface treatment for painting determines about 60-80% of the paint quality.

Spray type process line of Surface Preparation

Let's take a look at surface pretreatment methods that are mainly used in powder coating.

1. Shot/Grit Blasting

Abrasive blasting is a more appropriate and broad term, but in the field, sandblasting and shot blasting are also used.

Short or grit is a term that describes the form of media used for blasting.

Sandblasting use sand to blast, so it is called sandblasting.

Abrasive blasting is an effective method that has been used for a long time.

The media particles are collided with the surface of the material by using air pressure or centrifugal force to remove rust or foreign substances on the surface. And a profile is formed on the surface due to the collision, which increases the surface area and thereby affects the adhesion.

2. Degrease

In powder coating and liquid coating field, the surface is prepared by just removing foreign substances such as oil and grease on the surface with solvent or detergent, to be coated.

Most of the metal is contaminated with oil because the processing oil or lubricating oil is usually used when the metal goes through the forming process.

Such the oils can decrease the adhesion between the surface of the material and the coating film, or cause defects such as cratering.

Degreasing methods includes using alkaline detergent, acid solution and solvent.

3. Conversion Coating

Conversion coating is slightly difficult to get the concept of it. But it is easy if you think of the plating on the material surface with chemical reaction. The method combines the surface of the material with other metals to improve the coating adhesion and corrosion resistance.

Conversion coating is largely divided into Phsphate and Chromate. Phosphating conversion coating is mainly used for iron(steel) materials, and chromate is used for aluminum(alloy) materials.

In recent years, various conversion coating agents such as Zirconium and non-chrome have come out, and these various conversion coating agents are being developed to reduce environmental pollution, improve adhesion and corrosion resistance.

4. Acid Cleaning

Acid treatment, called pickling, is a method of removing rust or mill scale from surfaces using a strong acid solution.



The preparation methods is used alone or also in combination.

For example, the surface preparation process for the automotive wheel is simply like below.

Blasting -> Degreasing -> Rinsing -> Acid Cleaning -> Rinsing -> Conversion Coating -> Rinsing -> DI water Rinsing

Continuously surface preparation methods are applied in various ways according to environmental regulations, materials to be coated, and pretreatment efficiency, and are being developed in various ways.
And we will see them in detail later.


LINK: Korean Version of This Post([도장 전처리]분체도장에 주로 사용되는 전처리방법들)

[Paint Inspection]MEK rubbing test method and its limitations

Among the test methods, the most popular and easy to use test method for determining the degree of curing of the coating film would be the MEK rub test.

The term of MEK Rub Test is used much however Solvent Rub Test is the accurate term for MEK Rub Test.

It is called 'MEK Rub Test' because MEK is a strong solvent and mainly used among solvents, since the solvent-MEK is mainly used to evaluate the degree of cure of inorganic Silicate Inorganic Zinc Rich Primer, it is usually called more as MEK rub test than Solvent Rub Test.

Pros and Cons of MEK Rub Test

Pros: Easy, Quick, Simple
Cons: Comparative Evaluation, Lack of Reproducibility

Specifications of Solvent Rub Test

• ASTM D5402 Standard Practice for Assessing the Solvent Resistance of Organic Coatings Using Solvent Rubs
• ASTM D4752 Standard Practice for Measuring MEK Resistance of Ethyl Silicate(Inorganic) Zinc-Rich Primers by Solvent Rub

ASTM D5402 is a standard for evaluating the solvent resistance of organic paints, and ASTM D4752 is a standard for measuring the degree of curing of inorganic zinc primers through the solvent (MEK).

Solvent Rub Test Method (MEK Rub Test Method)

1. Prepare a fully cured control panel and a test panel.
2. Moisten a cotton swab or white cloth with a solvent(MEK) and rub it back and forth at a constant pressure.
3. Test on both panels under identical conditions.
4. Determine the degree of cure by comparing the changed state of gloss, coating loss, etc.

Limitations of Solvent Rubbing Test

MEK rubbing testing has limitations due to its test methods.

In the case of ASTM D4752 listed above, the standard provides a reference table to determine the degree of cure, but when used to determine the degree of cure of a organic paint, a generally comparable standard is required. So the disadvantage here is that the degree of cure must be determined by comparison between the fully-controlled panel and test panel.

In addition, when doing MEK test, it is necessary to know the type of paint. This is because some resins have weak solvent resistance to MEK or some solvent, and so even after proper curing, the gloss, film loss, or softening of the coating may be as if uncured.

The aggressive of solvents

MEK, Acetone >>>>>>> Xylene, Toluene

Depending on the resin type and requirements, solvent selection is also required, but MEK is usually used a lot.

One of the limitations of the MEK test is that it is a test conducted by a human.

As a result, test results may vary due to differences in rubbing speed, force, lasting time and other human factors.

(The pressing force, speed, and rubbing distance can be specified in the above ASTM standards or test requirements.)

However, it is widely used as a very useful test method to easily and quickly determine the degree of curing in the field and the laboratory, and test equipment with minimal human factor has been developed and used for more accurate testing in the laboratory.

TGIC Hazards Used as Powder Coating Curing Agent

Harmful Substances in Our Lives that We Do Not Know Well: TGIC (triglycidyl isocyanurate)

Mutagen! Organ Damage!

There are many harmful substances that we use but we do not know well in our lives.

Among them, we will learn about Triglycidyl Isocyanurate (TGIC) which is mainly used as a hardener.
TGIC is a raw material that is widely used as a curing agent in powder coatings using polyester resins.
The hardener is combined with the resin, which plays a role in the performance of the paint as a film.

There are two types of hardeners used in polyester resin powder coatings, a TGIC-free type hardener and a TGIC type hardener.

Powder coatings of polyester resins are wildly used in

• For indoor, industrial machines, interiors, furniture, home appliances, office furniture, electrical appliances, etc.
• For outdoor use, mobile parts, achitectural material such as fasade and window frames, electric control box, outdoor air-conditioner unit, etc.

Acute toxicity(GHS pictogram)

So now on, let's take a closer look at the harmfulness of TGIC.

• TGIC can be absorbed by the body through the skin. In addition, it can be introduced through the mouth or breath, and dust containing TGIC is often introduced into the body through breathing.
• If swallowed or inholed TGIC, it could damage the lungs, kidneys and digestive system.
• The more contact with TGIC, the more sensitive the body is to TGIC.
• TGIC can cause serious eye damage.
• Animal testing has shown that TGIC can cause genetic modifications.
• Blisters, itching, and swelling were observed in workers who used powder coatings or hardeners containing TGIC, asthma and leukocytosis in exposed powder spray workers, and atopic symptoms in exposed skin.
• Human tests of cancer patients showed toxic symptoms such as decreased spinal cord activity (blood production), dizziness, vomiting, white blood cell reduction, and partial hair loss.

There is still a lack of long-term testing for the effects of TGIC on the human body. So in addition to the hazards mentioned above, there may be more serious effects.

Health Hazard(GHS pictogram)

So please be aware of the following points when handling TGIC.

Where powder coatings containing TGIC are used,

1. Paint booths with limited access should be used.
2. Vacuums / suction cleaners should be used for cleaning to minimize dust.
3. If you use a powder coating with TGIC, you will need to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, dustproof clothing, safety glasses and a dust mask.
4. Personal protective equipment must be worn in all processes of handling powdercoatings that containing TGIC.

To deal with TGIC as a raw material,

1. Vacuums cleaners should be used to minimize dust generation.
2. The process of handling raw materials must be designed to be sealed and automated as possible to minimize human access.
3. Dust collectors / suction facilities are provided throughout the workplace so that dust can be removed immediately.

Wherever TGIC is handled, safety training for personnel, training to wear personal protective equipment and provision of personal protective equipment should be provided and done.

TGIC should be more careful as its toxicity persists even after commercialization with raw materials.

Products containing TGIC are prohibited for use in some parts of China as well as in Europe.

Many countries are aware of the toxicity of TGIC, and regulations on safety training and dust collection facilities for workers are being implemented. Companies that used products containing TGIC are increasingly demanding TGIC-free products.

Reference :

1. NICNAS https://www.nicnas.gov.au/chemical-information/factsheets/chemical-name/triglycidylisocyanurate-tgic
2. WHO Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 8 TRIGLYCIDYL ISOCYANURATE

Link of the post in Korean: 유전자 변형! 장기손상! 유해물질 : TGIC(트리글리시딜 이소시아누레이트)

Most used E-mail abbreviations by Koreans in business

I will introduce some abbreviations and its meanings that Korean people like to use in a business e-mail.

ASAP: 'As Soon As Possible', It's a world famous, loved and most-used abbreviation and Koreans also love it and write it down on every e-mail they send.

CP: 'Cellular Phone'

Ex: 'Example'

FYI: 'For Your Information', This expression is usually used by a higher rank person when he/she share some information for his/her members.

HP: 'Home Page', it's company's web site.

PS: 'Post Script'

How to remove yellow mushrooms that suddenly appeared in plant pots

In order to improve the atmosphere and air of the house, the trend is to put plant pots in the house and it is called 'green interior'.

Pots are not completely sanitized products such as soil, fertilizers, etc., so when you put them into the house, there are things that we do not know inside pots. And it leads to unexpected pests, weeds and mushrooms in plant pots.

Among them, let's take a look at 'yellow primrose/horn mushroom (plantpot dapperling, Leucocoprinus birnbaumii)' which is a common mushroom in the house.

The yellow color of the mushroom is very pretty and cute, but the mushroom's spores is poisonous, and can harm the plant.

Yellow mushroom, where are you from?

Mushrooms are usually spread in pots through two routes.
The first is when spores come in through soil or fertilizer.
Second, spores can reach through a shovel, clothes or in the air. So ​​it's a good idea to get rid of potted mushrooms quickly before spreading spores.

Damn, the yellow is even beautiful!

How to remove mushrooms in pots

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to completely remove the mushrooms from the plant pots once they started to grow. As we know, mushrooms grow through hyphae, so even if you remove them, they can grow again at any time if the growth condition is correct.

This is why it is important to use fully sterilized soil of the plant pot when you plant.

Anyway let's see how you can get rid of mushrooms in the plant pot.

1. Remove the mushroom that you can see

First, when the mushrooms grow up, the spores from pileus will travel to everywhere they can reach though the air. So you need to quickly remove the mushroom and soil near the mushroom before the mushrooms spread to other plant pots.
Observe the plnat pots every day and remove the mushrooms.

Remove the yellow mushroom like this(with soil)

2. Change the whole soil in the plant pot.

In fact, removing mushroom such as above method is temporary. To remove the mushrooms, it is good to replace the whole soil of the plant pot. And it is important to remove soil from the roots of plants. It is also good method to soak roots in clean water.

3. Using a Mold / Mushroom Remover

It is said that mushrooms and fungi are almost identical. So if you use a mushroom / fungal remover where the mushroom is grown, you can see the effect. But be careful, it can harm the plant so before try, must see the detail of the remover.

4. Changing the environment

This is one of the easiest, surest and hardest ways. You can eliminate the environment where mushrooms grow by change location of the plant, light and air flow. If you remove the warm and humid environment, the mushroom spores will not grow. Also sunlight can kill the mushrooms and spores.

A good combination of the above methods will effectively remove the mushrooms in the pot. But it is very difficult to get rid of all the spores already spread around the pots, and if there is anything coming from outside (fertilizer, air, water, etc.), there is always the possibility of mushrooms growing again.


One hope, though, is that most mushrooms that grow in plant pots do not harm plants. If you don't eat it, there's no harm to person.

But if you raise young children or animals at home, they can touch or eat it because of curiosity. So even though the mushrooms are harmless, it would be better remove them as soon as possible.

Review for LG CordZero A9 wireless stick vacuum

I bought LG CordZero A9(A950) wireless stick vacuum and I have used it for long.

And now I can say pros and cons of LG CordZero A9 against a wire vacuum and its own.

First, the pros of LG CordZero A9.

As you expect, it is very convenience to bring where you want to clean at. Because it is cordless. And it has two battery packs,  you use the vacuum quite long. This stick vacuum has 3 mode by suction power: normal mode, power mode and turbo mode.

With two battery packs, its normal mode working time can be 60 mins, its power mode working time can be 18 mins and its turbo mode working time can be 12 mins.

Washable Microfilter

I think its working time is long enough on normal mode. And the sweeping roller which is attached to its basic cleaning stick head helps a lot to clean up dust and dirt on the floor, even though its normal(?) suction power on the normal mode. The roller is spinning by the separated head motor during the stick is working.

If you buy LG CordZero A9, it includes self-standing charging dock that its competition does not provide but LG CordZero A9 does. And it can be used as wall-mounting mode and compact mode. I use self-standing mode and it is pretty reliable and the bottom of the stand is heavy enough to keep the balance.

Tools of LG Cordzero A9(A950 model)

And about filter parts and a dust separator. It has two filter parts. Under the top lid where the air outputs, there is a HEPA filter to catch the particle matters and the filter is replaceable. And below the HEPA filter, there is a micro filter and under the micro filter, there is a cyclone filter(cyclone type dust separator). And the micro filter and the cyclone filter can be washable with tap water. With water you remove small dust on the filter easily. And they recommend that after washing the micro filter, it is dried for at least 24 hours. But they give two micro filters.

Self-stand mode of LG CordZero A9

Now here’s Cons of LG CordZero A9.

First, weaker suction power than a wire vacuum. A wire vacuum I have is much stronger than the LG CordZero A9. The wire vacuum is bought about 4 years ago and it also has cyclone type dust separator. However the cleaning capability can be similar as the LG CordZero A9 has a brush roller I think.

They say hassle-free dust bin maintenance. I hardly agree with it because there are hassles. When you open the dust bin, the location of open button is not good to handle. every time I open the lid of the dust bin, I find where the button is and my hand gets dirty from the floating dust.

And the cyclone filter inside of the dust bin works well but long hair is wound up the filter like a reel and it seems to disrupt and reduce its function.

Actually although it is easy to clean with LG CordZero A9, it is not easy to clean its own dust bin.