RAYONG – February 8, 2023 - Dow Thailand Group, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), Ban Chang District, Ban Chang Subdistrict Municipality, and the Plastics Institute of Thailand (PITH) collaborated on the development of a model for community waste management as part of the pilot project "Thailand’s Plastic Circularity Social Enterprise Model: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Ban Chang" with a budget of over 20 million baht. Applying scientific research and technology, the initiative intends to promote waste segregation and optimization to increase value and revenue for the community while enhancing recycling rates as a model for other communities. 1,000 - 1,200 tons of waste are expected to enter the recycling cycle per year.
The initiative builds on a partnership named "Improving Community's Segregated Plastic Waste through Science, Technology, and Innovation” that Dow and TISTR have been pursuing since 2021. The collaboration incorporates the experience and expertise of the partners and encourages community engagement to develop Thailand's first high-quality Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The MRF aims to manage community’s waste, used plastic packaging, and discarded materials in Ban Chang, Rayong. To do so, the project adopts the circular economy and sustainability framework to encourage waste segregation, improve the recovered material’s quality, develop new products from waste. The collaboration also includes wastewater treatment and generation of bio-renewable energy. This initiative aims to increase community’s income and prevent waste from entering to the environment.
“On behalf of the Ban Chang community, we are delighted to support the initiative and work together to create a model community for sustainable waste management. The establishment of this waste management system within the district will allow for the growth of increased knowledge, awareness, and collaboration in improving the waste disposal behavior of members in the community. Furthermore, it will stimulate improved waste management and sorting systems, which will raise the area's recycling rate in alignment with the government's strategy on addressing the problem of residual waste in the environment,” stated Kitiphong Urawat, Ban Chang Chief District Officer.
Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, Dow Thailand President, expressed his support of the activities, adding, "We’re currently in a situation where there are limited global resources and growing demands. Science, technology, and innovation are vital for people’s well-being and a sustainable environment. Basic infrastructure and community engagement are also essential in optimizing the use of valuable resources to its fullest in a circular economy, especially used plastics. This project aligns with Dow’s sustainability targets to “stop the waste.” We aim to enable the collection, reuse, or recycling of one million metric tons of plastic globally through our direct actions and partnerships.”
"TISTR's tangible success in waste management research is centered on the management of recycled materials at its source to solve environmental problems, create jobs, share best practices to private sectors, and enhance people's quality of life in line with the BCG Economy policy. I believe that the current close collaboration will increase the utilization of scientific and technological research and development at the MRF. It encourages applications of innovation for a sustainable environment and community by managing and processing used materials to be fully recyclable,” said Prof. (Research) Dr. Chutima Iamchotchavalit, Governor of the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR).
"Plastic is a valuable material that is essentially used in everyday life. As a result of its versatility, it has been utilized in various industries. In fact, plastic can be beneficial to the environment, if utilized to its fullest and managed properly after use. To achieve this idea, it is vital for the community and consumers to possess knowledge, understand, and collaborate on the separation and management of various types of waste, including used plastics. Moreover, this notion can lead to an community enterprise model which can become a national blueprint. The circular economy initiative integrates three dimensions: a strong community, growing business, and a self-sustaining economy for Thailand,” said Veera Kwanloetchit, President of the Plastics Institute of Thailand (PITH).
“Cooperation from all stakeholders, including manufacturers, department stores, and consumers, is essential to making the circular economy a feasible and sustainable reality. Therefore, we must master the proper procedure of waste separation at the source in both households and communities. This allows for each type of waste we produce to be correctly sorted and reused for maximum benefit. Thanks to Dow, TISTR, the PITH, Ban Chang District, and all those who participated, I am confident that Rayong has the potential to build and develop our home as a model for sustainable waste management,” said Suphot Torartharn, Deputy Governor of Rayong Province.
The project "Thailand’s Plastic Circularity Social Enterprise Model: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Ban Chang" received a 20-million budget from two parties, namely the Dow Business Impact Fund from Dow Thailand Group and the Program Management Unit Competitiveness (PMUC).
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, mobility, infrastructure, and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in thirty-one countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
About Dow Thailand Group
Dow started its business in Thailand in 1967, then expanded through a joint venture with SCG in 1987 (in 2022, SCG Chemicals rebranded to SCGC). At present, Dow Thailand Group consists of Dow's wholly owned subsidiaries and SCGC-DOW joint ventures. In addition, there is also a Solvay and Dow joint venture in Thailand. Dow Thailand Group is the largest manufacturing base for Dow in the Asia Pacific, with many manufacturing facilities in Rayong province. Its strategic markets in Thailand are packaging, building and infrastructure, and mobility industries. More information could be found at https://th.dow.com/en-us or the Thai Facebook www.facebook.com/DowThailandGroup/
For further information, please contact:
Apiradee Poopirom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-3657296 / 081-8026933
Email:papiradee@dow.com
Suttipong Krotintakom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 038-673315 / 081-7919626
Email:skrotintakom@dow.com
Lalida, Tisadondilok
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-365-7228 / 089-6687079
Email:lalida@dow.com