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
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
January 28, 2026
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
January 28, 2026
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
January 28, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
January 28, 2026
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
January 28, 2026
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
January 27, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
January 27, 2026
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
January 27, 2026
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
January 27, 2026
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
January 27, 2026
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
January 27, 2026
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
January 27, 2026
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
More Articles
