One morning while jogging, Kenichi Mamitsuka noticed trash littering the streets. Thus, he got the idea that every piece of waste we collect is another step towards solving garbage pollution. As a result, he came up with a way to combine his favourite sport with trash collection.
Developed in 2008, Spogomi, a trash-picking competition created from the combination of "spo" and "gomi" (which means sport and trash), seeks to create value in waste collecting and sorting as well as to raise public awareness of environmental issues more widely. The environmentally conscious concept of Spogomi transforms the attitude of people who previously viewed trash as dirty and disgusting into a fun sport, resulting in the concept that proper waste sorting can start with you.
Spogomi is currently under the Change For Blue project by The Nippon Foundation, which is creating a model to solve the marine waste problem through industry collaboration.
Thannachanok Sriuaipornchai
Because the majority of trash generated by manufacturers is dumped in the ocean every year, businesses need to be responsible for what they produce which causes social and environmental costs. As Japan has various environmental activities, many countries accept Japan has succeeded in waste management and segregation.
This provided inspiration for Siam Piwat to join hands with G-YU Creative in organising the event earlier this month at Siam Paragon, to find representatives from 60 teams to compete in the world garbage collection championship at the Spogomi World Cup 2023 in November in Tokyo.
Naratipe Ruttapradid, chief operating officer of Siam Piwat, said the company has launched a Recycle Collection Center campaign, Thailand's first drive-thru recyclable garbage pick-up point, as part of the "Siam Piwat 360° Waste Journey To Zero Waste Project" to preserve the environment.
"Siam Piwat has always been working on environmental sustainability. Garbage collection is another matter that we put a lot of effort into because we have built a Recycle Collection Center to make people realise that waste is something we can manage by starting ourselves," Naratipe said.
"RCC campaign offers an opportunity for everyone to bring their cleaned and sorted trash to the garbage pick-up point at Siam Paragon. Then you will receive Viz Coins or cash to use with the Onesiam Super App for shopping."
The event begins by providing an orientation to competitors. According to the rules, all garbage collected must be sorted into four categories: plastic, glass bottles or aluminium cans, paper, and cigarette butts.
Entrants are prohibited from picking up trash that is already in the bin, trash that appears to be owned, and bulky trash such as fans or car tyres. Also, they are not allowed to run but can walk quickly.
Contestants started their journey from the preparation area on G Floor, Siam Paragon. They were given one hour to gather garbage within a 1.5km radius of Siam Paragon, then return to sort it for 20 minutes.
Siam Piwat
The event's atmosphere was full of fun and excitement from the contestants. Everyone was enthusiastic in searching for garbage and showing the face of happiness as they sensed each other's unity in being a small part of something that can become a great power to reduce pollution and be the first step in raising awareness among Thais of collecting, sorting and managing waste more seriously.
Thai artists including Pakin Kamvilaisak, Thanathat Tanjararak and Bhobdhama Hansa from GMMTV, as well as Ryota Omi from The Face Men Thailand Season 2, participated in the Spogomi event, making the event more enjoyable.
When the timer ran out, the contestants returned to sort through the trash and count their points based on the prescribed proportion. All the accumulated waste was transferred to an appropriate waste management centre, adhering to the principle of the circular economy as advocated by Siam Piwat's 360º initiative. A portion of the plastic waste will be allocated to GC's You Turn plastic management project.
The MJ team were the winners with members including Parkpoom Cholpilaiponk, Sivasith Wanarangsun and Vinai Puengpipattrakul. They were able to collect a total of 17.7kg of garbage, calculated as 2,572 points, which was the highest score and earned them the honour of representing Thailand at the Spogomi World Cup in Tokyo.
Kenichi Mamitsuka. Photo © Uniqlo
They also received a remarkable prize package, including a cutting-edge food waste shredder provided by HASS, as well as exclusive Shadow 5,000 Midnight Swimming special edition shoes from Saucony.
Parkpoom Cholpilaiponk, a representative from the MJ team, said they were pleased to participate in Siam Piwat's admirable activities that support the improvement of society and the environment. More importantly, they wanted to raise awareness of the value of garbage sorting.
"Normally, we already acknowledge that Siam Piwat has environmental activities and has good waste management. Organising a garbage picking sport is another activity that makes it easier for people to access waste sorting and helps raise awareness for people to pay more attention to waste segregation," he said.
Spogomi competitors at Siam Paragon. Siam Piwat
Siam Piwat
Siam Piwat
