The textile wholesale store of the Pyongyang municipal wholesale trade management office has a cotton-producing workteam which turns out quilts and other consumer goods using cloth scraps collected from knitting and textile mills and garment factories.
At present, it annually produces scores of kinds of consumer goods with the scraps, including over 40 tons of cotton, tens of thousands of quilts, more than 10 000 slates and tens of thousands of metres of ropes.
It is not a special production unit but the small wholesale store is achieving unbelievable results. The secret of success is that the store regards recycling as a sure way to develop it and steadily pushes ahead with recycling.
When Kwon Won Man suggested taking up recycling just after being appointed director of the store over 10 years ago, many of its employees were sceptical about the idea.
But when they succeeded in producing cotton and quilts after overcoming heaps of trials and difficulties, employees raised a shout of joy.
Kwon, however, didn’t rest on his laurels, but set a goal of using all the cotton waste from the production process.
He once looked round the slate production process of other unit on his business trip, when he learned that it was relying on import for some raw materials.
So he acquainted himself with the mixing ratio of the materials for slate before returning to his store, and became convinced that cotton waste can be used for making quality slates after a constant search and intense speculation.
Afterwards, a slate production base was built and its production using cotton waste was put on a regular basis.
The store proceeded to increase the variety of consumer goods including shoulder pads, insoles, sportswear and children’s wear and came to produce quality ropes of different sizes and even soundproof and lagging materials some years later.
Its Kumjandi-brand products were highly appreciated at national commodity and consumer goods exhibitions.
More From Pyongyang Times
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
December 08, 2025
It has been one year since a ceasefire agreement was concluded between Lebanon and Israel. But in the period Israel has carried
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
December 08, 2025
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced on December 1 the reckless remarks made by the chairman
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
December 08, 2025
The expedition to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu, made up of youth and students from across the DPRK, climbed
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
December 08, 2025
Modern villages have sprung up at the Hungsang Farm in Ragwon County and the Township Farm in Kumya County, South Hamgyong
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
December 08, 2025
South Hamgyong Province has remodelled the Hamhung Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory. The factory, furnished with dozens of
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
December 08, 2025
Ideal socialist villages have appeared in Ogye-ri of Anbyon County and Sangja-ri and Jungyong-ri of Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
December 08, 2025
The Mindulle Paper Mill on the banks of the Taedong River has been remodelled. The mill, a labour-, water- and site-saving
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
December 08, 2025
The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Science,
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
December 08, 2025
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
December 07, 2025
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, censured the West for its misleading propaganda about Iran in a recent
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
December 07, 2025
The 55th Sports Contest of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang on December 3 and 4.
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
December 07, 2025
True to the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which set this year as the first year of the public health revolution,
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
December 07, 2025
The Rason Hyesong General Development Company was selected as one of the top ten businesses of the DPRK in succession for 2023 and
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
December 07, 2025
North Hamgyong Province has newly built the Chongjin Water Park. The public service centre with unique architectural and modern
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
December 07, 2025
Different areas of the country are stepping up preparations in earnest for the operation of their new regional-industry factories,
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 06, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
December 06, 2025
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il on Mansu
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
December 06, 2025
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
December 06, 2025
Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
December 06, 2025
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in
More Articles