BANGKOK, Oct 31 (TNA) – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Mall Group Co., Ltd. the leading retail business in Thailand and its ally network have launched an innovation competition to reduce plastic waste for environmental sustainability.
The winners will receive a trophy from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and one million baht cash reward. Applications for the contest will open tomorrow until Dec 31.
The Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa said the contest will promote development of innovation for plastic waste management.
The minister said so far, Thailand has cut the use of two billion single-use plastic bags or about 5,755 tonnes.
More efforts will be stepped up to alleviate impacts on the environment. On Jan 2020, 46 department stores will stop giving away plastic bags to customers.
Thailand ranks the world’s sixth-biggest generator of plastic waste into the sea, he said, so it is time everyone join hands to cut plastic use shopping and also food delivery service.
Woralak Tulaporn, the Mall Group’s chief marketing officer, said the group’s four –month campaign to stop distributing plastic bags to customers could cut more than 10 million bags or about 70 per cent. A customer, who wants a plastic bag pay one baht for each bag and the money goes to the World Wildlife Fund. (TNA)
