Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has teamed up with Precious Plastic Bangkok to launch “Recycle & Upcycling”, a joint initiative that aims to turn plastic bottle caps into valuable products by embracing Thailand’s bio-circular-green (BCG) economic model. This effort is part of “Trap the Sea Trash”, which aims to raise awareness about marine waste issues and generate additional income for the residents in Bang Ya Phraek sub-district, Samutsakorn province.
According to Mrs. Kobboon Srichai, Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at CP Foods, the company is committed to conducting business in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. CP Foods is collaborating with Precious Plastic Bangkok to transfer knowledge to the local community where the company has carried on the ongoing Trap the Sea Trash project in order to foster job creation, income generation, and sustainable practices from waste-to-value activities adhering to the BCG model.
The project’s main activity involves recycling and upcycling plastic bottle caps. By working closely with communities in Bang Ya Phraek sub-district, marine trash has been collected and converted into valuable products, such as pen holders and plant pots, which are sold through community enterprises.
Additionally, CP Foods encourages its employees and the general public to participate in the project by providing 15 drop-off locations for plastic bottle caps at its operations and partners in Samutsakorn, Ratchburi, and Bangkok.
Between November 2022 and March 2023, CP Foods collected around 155 kilograms of plastic bottle caps, equivalent to approximately 77,500 caps. These materials have been upcycled into 1,000 pieces of products, showcasing the project’s potential for sustainable waste management and economic growth.
The “Trap the Sea Trash” initiative supports CP Foods’ broader sustainability strategy, which emphasizes food security, self-sufficient societies, and balanced ecosystems. The company has pledged to preserve and restore watershed forests and mangrove forests in Samut Sakhon Province. So far, CP Foods has implemented a 604-rai (approximately 96.64 hectares) reforestation project in Bang Ya Phraek Subdistrict and plans to add another 266 rai (approximately 42.56 hectares) by 2023.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project bolsters community development through eco-tourism initiatives. CP Foods has established four eco-tourism bases in Bang Ya Phraek Subdistrict, including a salt farm, a community career promotion station, a Thai dessert base, and a model boat base. These attractions create jobs, develop careers, and generate sustainable income for the locals.
