Creative Economy Agency (Public Organisation), or CEA, together with Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, proudly showcased their successful renewable energy project, “Wonder Waste!” The project, which aims to promote a renewable economy and zero-waste society, is carried out at four pilot sites, including the Charoenkrung and Nong Khaem neighbourhoods in Bangkok, the Srichan neighborhood in Khon Kaen province, and Phuket Old Town.
Dr. Buntoon Srethasirote, Energy regulatory commissioner, revealed that Energy Regulatory Commission and Creative Economy Agency (Public Organisation) had unveiled four pilot locations for the “Wonder Waste!” project, namely the Charoenkrung and Nong Khaem areas in Bangkok, the neighbourhood of Srichan in Khon Kaen province, and Phuket Old Town. The renewable waste to energy initiative is implemented based on the study of household and community solid waste disposal behaviour in each community and is supported by Power Development Fund, the Office of Energy Regulatory Commission, for the year 2020, which aims to raise awareness of effective waste management before disposal or conversion to renewable power energy.
“ERC places emphasis on resource efficiency in line with a circular economy model and the government’s Zero Waste Society policy that focuses on waste management at source. According to the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, around 27.8 million tons of solid waste is produced in Thailand, of which 7.3 million tons or 27 percent have not been disposed of properly. This is due partly to the public’s lack of understanding about waste sorting and the country’s waste disposal technology not being fully utilised. The "Wonder Waste!" project, therefore, seeks to promote the creation of innovative and inclusive ideas for waste sorting in the community, which can serve as a model for further applications elsewhere and provide additional options for fuel production,” said Mr. Buntoon.
Mr. Apisit Laistrooglai, Director of Creative Economy Agency, stated that, “CEA acts as a liaison between the public and the private sectors, encompassing a wide range of creative professionals, entrepreneurs, organisations, and associations. We’re trying to create a network that will contribute to the strength of the country’s creative economy to enhance the quality of life of the people and the community.”
“Wonder Waste!” consists of four innovative models for household and community solid waste management. Through a design thinking process and co-creation approach, inputs and ideas from neighbourhood residents play a significant role in the development and implementation of each model, which is area-specific in terms of usage context and household and community waste disposal behaviour. These pilot models are to be expanded to other public and private organisations to promote proper waste sorting before disposal or conversion to fuel for the energy industry,” said Mr. Apisit.
The four waste separation models are as follows:
1. PowerPick
Developed by Khor Corporation Company Limited
Pilot Site: Laan Baimai, Yip In Tsoi Company Limited, Mahaphruttharam Road, Bangrak, Bangkok
This model was created to tackle the growing volume of waste from online food orders, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. Under this model, a pop-up service is available to help separate food and drinks packaging made of lightweight plastics or paper. A garbage bag vending machine is also implemented, and supported with counter service and a lab that can handle waste product processing from compressing, cleaning, and heating to packing ready to be used as refuse-derived fuel (RDF). In addition, the PowerPick WtE eBike application allows users to schedule a mobile waste pick up service.
2. care4
Developed by Pisate Virangkabutra and team
Pilot Site: Mu Ban Chitnarong 21, near a waste-to-energy power plant in the Nong Khaem district of Bangkok
Under this model which integrates engineering and designing principles into waste separation, waste humidity is reduced through the processes of sorting – collecting – storing – delivering waste products. Proper garbage bags and bins are provided and placed in different areas in the house with guidelines to ensure a proper waste sorting. Moreover, a door-to-door bicycle household waste collection service is available to encourage waste sorting among the residents. Waste products will then be sorted and stored using a solar waste dryer to extract humidity before going through the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's waste management process.
3. BoonBoon
Developed by FabCafe Bangkok
Pilot Site: Srichan neighborhood in Khon Kaen province
Smart waste-collecting cat robots, equipped with delivery robot technology, help promote community engagement in waste separation. The model uses a garbage bin as an information agent to increase awareness and understanding of waste sorting. “Boon Lek,” the café’s version of the cat robot, collects waste inside the shops participating in the program while providing a better understanding of waste among the customers. “Boon Yai,” the bigger robot, which is used for outdoor waste collection, collects waste products that have been separated at the source from shops in the area through an appointment via a Line Official account. Both indoor and outdoor waste stations are available for the robots’ waste drop-offs. In addition, the Activity Waste Information campaign has been organised in partnership with neighbourhood residents.
4. BABA Waste
Developed by Weerachai Pranweerapaiboon and the RDM Strategist team
Pilot Site: Phuket Old Town
This waste management model was developed specifically for the café business and household owners. Colour-coded garbage bags are used to ensure mutual understanding between household and business owners (the source), trash collectors, and Phuket’s integrated waste management centre. Ideas for business models are provided to ensure comprehensive and sustainable waste management. The model makes use of BABABINs, garbage bins for indoor and outdoor use, BABABAGs, color-coded garbage bags for different waste materials such as refuse, food waste, recyclable waste and hazardous waste, and BABACONE composting kits.
“Wonder Waste!” Showcase exhibition is open to the public from today until 8 December 2021.
Venue: The Material & Design Innovation Center, 2nd Floor, Back Building, TCDC, Bangkok
Time: 10.30 – 19.00
Open Tuesday – Sunday (Closed on Monday)
Admission: Free* (For a visitor’s pass, please contact Info Guru Counter, 5th Floor, TCDC, Bangkok)