ICONSIAM reinforces its vision of conducting business that benefits a large number of people and aims to play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for Thais. Under the strategy of Co-creation and Creating Shared Values, it collaborates with partners including the Thai Creative Association (Taw Wiset), the Mother of Pearl Foundation under Royal Patronage, Taksin Hospital, and 16 schools in the Klong San-Thonburi area to organize the 'Waste for Happiness Year 3' project. They set up 30 donation boxes for recyclable waste, transforming waste into happiness shared among people by selling the collected recyclable waste to raise funds for the Taksin Hospital Foundation, totaling 300,000 Baht for purchasing medical equipment and improving the rehabilitation room for stroke patients. The 17,800 kilograms of waste collected can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 64,103 kilograms, equivalent to planting 6,747 trees to absorb CO2.

Throughout the year, ICONSIAM has collaborated with partners to organize educational activities to instill sustainable awareness among the 'Model Youth for Recycling' from 16 schools in the Klong San-Thonburi area, including Wat Suwann School, Wat Thong Phleng School, Wat Phichai Yat School, Wat Thong Thammachart School, Chantharawit School, Pathanawit School, Wat Suttharam School, Wat Khun Chan School, Wat Vellurachin School, Wat Mai Yai Nuy School, Kuea Witthaya School, Wat Ratchakru School, Wat Bang Sakae Nok School, Wat Bang Sakae Nai School, Wat Dao Kanong School, and Wat Krajab Pinij School. The project kicked off with a discussion activity titled 'Filling Happiness, Fulfilling Dreams: Can We Create a Future with Waste?'

Mr. Theerawat Thungkam, Deputy Director of Saint Teresa School, and Dr. Somrudee Plawuthithai, Director of Mon Jarat Sing Anusorn School, shared their successful experiences and exchanged knowledge on Zero Waste School management, both of which have received national awards from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. They also learned about waste management from the 'Doi Tung Model' presented by Mr. Paisarn Kamkat, Environmental Manager of the Mother of Pearl Foundation under Royal Patronage, who introduced a waste management model aimed at reducing waste to landfills through integrated efforts involving local government, private sectors, temples, communities, and schools, recognized as a model for sustainable development solutions in the country, inspiring children to manage waste effectively within their schools.

Knowledge was further enhanced through the workshop 'Is This Our Waste? Or Someone Else's Waste?' organized by the Thai Creative Association (Taw Wiset) to build a foundational understanding of waste management, covering the four types of waste according to Bangkok's standards: recyclable waste, food waste, general waste, and hazardous waste, as well as recycling management including clear plastic bottles, cardboard, magazines, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. The activities concluded with visits to schools to observe real waste management practices, exchange ideas, and explore methods for managing waste and collecting recyclables to contribute to the 'Waste for Happiness' project according to each school's approach.

Thanawat Thutkaew, a 5th grader from Chantharawit School and a representative of the Model Youth for Recycling, stated, “I feel happy and excited to participate in the Waste for Happiness project this year. I have learned new ideas to apply at my school, starting with ideas for the kindergarten kids, telling stories to teach them about proper waste disposal. For the older students, we have the 5R principles to help reduce waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Reject, and we work together to sort recyclables to drop into the Waste for Happiness boxes throughout this year.”

Join us in turning waste into happiness that is shared among us. Sort waste properly and dispose of it in the right places. You can donate plastic bottles, glass bottles, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and recyclable paper through the 'Waste for Happiness' project at designated service points or inquire for more information at 1338 and on Facebook ICONSIAM.