The Waste-Free Community: An Integrated Company-Led Project for Rayong’s Communities

SCGC initiated the "Waste-free Community" project at the beginning of 2019, drawing inspiration from the Bangsue model, a waste management model within the SCGC Head Office. This model was expanded upon for waste management in the Rayong communities. SCGC adopted the "Baworn" approach, which encompasses the holistic integration of homes, temples, and schools. This fundamental basis is essential for driving the existing Eco Community forward. This approach has been integrated with the "Community Waste Bank" to create a comprehensive waste management system. Previously, the community's waste management lacked interconnection, resulting in less-than-optimal efficiency. The primary method was landfilling, but now, through this initiative, waste is reintroduced into recycling, generating income for the community and helping community members recognize the value of resources. The project emphasizes maximizing the benefits from these resources in line with the principles of the circular economy.

SCGC also emphasizes instilling knowledge in the youth about waste management to promote behavior change and transfer this knowledge to their families and others in the community. Within the "school" component, SCGC provides knowledge to students and school staff about waste management and collaborates with schools to address waste issues. This led to the "Upcycling Milk Pouches" project in 2020.

Additionally, technology has been introduced to enhance waste management efficiency. The web application "KoomKah," developed by SCGC, assists communities in managing their waste banks. The project has successfully established 13 waste banks, with a network of 3,785 accounts. The accumulated amount of recycled waste entering the system exceeds 240 tons, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and equating to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 480,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide (data as of December 31, 2022).