WHA Corporation Public Company Limited (WHA Group) has created a significant environmental collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 'WeCYCLE' project with 6 partners at WHA Tower.

The highlight of this milestone as they enter the 5th year is the announcement of two new partners: VISTEC and Total Environmental Solutions Co., Ltd. (SK tes), joining the existing key partners including the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP), and Thanachok Oil Light Co., Ltd. This expansion strengthens the WeCYCLE project, enhancing its capability to manage resources under the Circular Economy concept more comprehensively. It increases the potential to handle various types of materials and waste, from used plastics, paper, cooking oil, organic waste/food scraps, to electronic devices, ensuring these resources can be effectively reintegrated into the utilization process for maximum value.

Over the past 4 years, the WeCYCLE project has achieved tangible success, managing over 235 tons of waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 527 tCO2e, with over 140 participants from industrial estates, warehouses, and communities joining the initiative.

Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairperson of the Executive Board and CEO of WHA Corporation Public Company Limited (WHA Group), stated, "As we enter the 5th year of WeCYCLE and welcome new partners VISTEC and SK tes today, it reflects our commitment under the concept 'WHA: SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR THAILAND' to be a part of creating a sustainable future for Thailand. Waste and used materials will no longer be seen as trash but as valuable resources when managed properly. This strengthened collaboration merges the capabilities of industry leaders, resource management experts, and leading research institutions to create a complete and powerful ecosystem that supports the transition to a green economy, addressing the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic growth alongside environmental preservation in Thailand."

Additionally, executives from partner organizations reflected on their roles in supporting the circular economy and sustainable resource management under this collaboration:

Mr. Sumet Tangprasert, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), added, "IEAT is very pleased to be part of the MOU signing for the WeCYCLE project today. Entering the 5th year marks a model project that reflects strong collaboration between the government, private sector, and communities in systematically and sustainably driving the 'Eco-Industrial Estate'. IEAT commends all partner agencies for their continuous efforts, covering everything from sorting, collecting, recycling, and reusing materials, to creating knowledge to raise awareness in communities and enterprises. This not only helps reduce environmental impact, waste volume, and greenhouse gas emissions but also plays a crucial role in driving the circular economy that aligns with sustainable development goals and the pursuit of Net Zero in the future. IEAT is ready to support and collaborate with all sectors to foster a sense of resource efficiency to enhance quality of life and the environment, propelling Thai society towards balanced growth as a low-carbon society. We sincerely thank all partners for driving this project to tangible success and hope this good collaboration continues to grow sustainably."

Mr. Saroj Phuttathamwong, Chief Operating Officer of the Value-Added Chemicals Business Group at PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC), emphasized the importance of creating a circular economy through collaboration among all sectors, stating, "Over the past 4 years, GC has been part of the WeCYCLE project, collecting used plastics through the GC YOUturn platform, managing over 80 tons, equivalent to more than 4.8 million plastic bottles from over 113 companies in WHA's industrial estates. This MOU signing marks another significant step in elevating our efforts from collecting used plastics to creating a circular economy ecosystem that connects industry, communities, and end-users comprehensively through expanding plastic collection networks, developing Community Waste Hubs, and facilitating high-quality recycling processes, including upcycling products and using recycled plastic pellets (PCR) in industry to enhance resource value, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a sustainable future for Thai society."

Mr. Thanet Suwannawasi, Director of Packaging Materials Recycling at SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP), stated that SCGP prioritizes driving the circular economy throughout the supply chain, from design, production, consumption, to reusing materials. The 'Old Paper Request' activity in the WeCYCLE project is one of SCGP's collaborations with the industry to systematically manage used paper from WHA, covering collection, sorting, and recycling processes, and repurposing it through efficient production technologies according to circular economy principles, producing various upcycled products from recycled paper and delivering them to schools in the areas surrounding WHA industrial estates. Additionally, SCGP has expanded this concept into various sectors, including the community, developing model communities for resource management and zero-waste initiatives, promoting knowledge on proper management of used materials to reduce waste volume, minimize new resource usage, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Collaboration from all sectors is crucial in driving the circular economy into reality and serves as a driving force towards a sustainable future together.

Ms. Panjaros Inprakong, Managing Director of Thanachok Oil Light Co., Ltd., stated, "Thanachok Group emphasizes the importance of converting used cooking oil into new value in the form of bioenergy and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under the circular economy concept, reaffirming our commitment to efficient resource management to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Thailand's Net Zero goals."

Dr. Pairin Chuchotitham, President of VISTEC, stated, "VISTEC is pleased to be part of the WeCYCLE project, bringing scientific knowledge and innovation to support sustainable management of organic waste and food scraps through the GREENGEN Biodigester technology, which helps convert waste into valuable resources. This collaboration reflects the role of research in creating Circular Innovation and driving a low-carbon society at the community and industrial levels."

Mr. Luc Bernardus Scholte van Mast, Managing Director of Total Environmental Solutions Co., Ltd. (SK tes), expressed, "SK tes is very pleased to be part of the WeCYCLE project as an expert in sustainable electronic waste (E-Waste) management. Amid the transition to the digital era, proper management of electronic waste is urgently necessary for both the environment and the business sector. SK tes's role in this collaboration is to utilize innovation and advanced technology to drive safe and efficient resource recovery processes, turning electronic waste back into valuable materials in the circular system while raising awareness in society that used materials are not waste but the starting point of new resources. This strong ecosystem collaboration of WeCYCLE will promote SK tes's sustainability goals in driving Thailand towards a low-carbon society and balanced economic growth tangibly."

The collaboration under the WeCYCLE agreement marks a significant step for the Thai industrial sector in transitioning towards sustainability through tangible actions, measurable results, and serves as a model for integration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to create a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. This reflects WHA Group's commitment under the concept 'WHA: SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR THAILAND', ready to be a driving force in creating a truly sustainable future for Thailand's economy, society, and environment.