BASF Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, and Nonthaburi City Municipality sign MOU on organic waste management with bags made from certified compostable biopolymer
Bangkok, Thailand, April 25, 2023 – BASF Thailand along with Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, and Nonthaburi City Municipality today signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) on “Turning Food Waste into Compost by Sorting Food Waste with Bioplastic Bags”. This pilot project will study and develop a sustainable organic waste management model - from sorting and collection to disposal - for every household in Nonthaburi, using compostable waste bags. Organic waste bags made from BASF`s certified compostable biopolymer ecovio® will be used and support the separate collection of food waste to be composted for industrial composting under proper conditions. The project also aims to contribute to Thailand’s National Action Plan on Waste Management (2022-2027).
Mr. Cooper Li, Director of Sales Management, Specialty Polymers, Asia Pacific, BASF, said, "As part of our corporate strategy, BASF focuses on developing sustainable solutions to protect the environment. We are pleased to share our experience and knowledge about compostable waste bags usage in organic waste management in this project. Our contribution also includes providing financial support and organic waste bags made from BASF’s biopolymer ecovio®, which not just helps in sorting of food waste in a convenient and hygienic manner but also supports in turning food waste into valuable nutrients for agricultural soil. According to a survey, the amount of solid waste in Thailand is as high as 25 million tons per year, 64% of which comes from food waste. Our purpose is to help address this issue in a sustainable manner – through chemistry innovations and public–privatepartnerships”.
Prof. Dr. Polkit Sangvanich, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, said, “This project is a continuation of the “Nakhon Non-Model for Sustainable Food Waste Management” project that Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has worked in collaboration with Nonthaburi Municipality earlier with the same purposes. Chula has also implemented the Chula Zero Waste project, a systematic and sustainable on-campus solid and hazardous waste management program. We also commit to imparting knowledge and developing an understanding among students and staff to demonstrate social responsibility as global citizens. The main objective of this project is to solve the food waste management problems of Nonthaburi Municipality, which still needs a proper waste management and sorting system. Chulalongkorn will be the main organization to ensure that the objectives are met accordingly by working with all sectors, helping raise awareness and obtaining cooperation in changing consumer behavior in household’s organic waste sorting to attain sustainable food waste management.”
Mrs. Surapee Roongroje, Deputy Mayor of Nonthaburi City, said, “Nonthaburi is the second most densely populated province after Bangkok, which is a significant factor in increasing daily waste. Without stringent management, many more problems caused by overflowing and toxic waste will follow as the area will be filthy, becoming a breeding ground for germs and environmental problems. And if left for a long time, it can release toxic gases that are harmful to our bodies. Currently, there is no proper waste management and sorting system. We still use the landfill method, which may only allow us to use the area for another 2-3 years if there is no good food waste management system. Therefore, Nonthaburi Municipality has initiated the "Nakhon Non-Model" project. We decided to start the pilot project at Flora Wongsawang, which has about 130 households, 40 of which have volunteered to participate in this project by sorting food waste using biodegradable waste bags as well as learning how to sort food waste properly so that the municipality can collect and dispose through the composting process more efficiently.”
About BASF in Thailand
BASF has been present in Thailand for more than 55 years. The company offers a wide range of products and solutions to support almost all the key industries in the country, including Agriculture, Automotive Catalysts, Coatings, Care Chemicals, Nutrition and Health, Industrial Chemicals, Performance Polymers, Polyurethanes, and Performance Chemicals. BASF in Thailand was established in 1966 and maintains its head office in Bangkok. It also operates three production sites, an Automotive Coatings Technical Competence Center and a Performance Materials Technical Development Center in Samutprakarn province. In 2022, BASF posted sales of €676 million to customers in Thailand and had 599 employees as of the end of the year. Further information is available on www.basf.com/th.
