U-TURN Platform

Mahidol University has collaborated with PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited in jointly implementing various projects, such as the ThinkCycle Bank Project and the GC Circular Living Symposium 2020 Project. From the success of the mentioned projects, both sides agreed to launch the Circular Economy Project, under the name of U-TURN Platform (GC) to present work and build a network on waste management, especially plastic waste. Under this platform, there are two main activities.

 Activity 1 “GC x Mahidol Webinar: Circular Economy & Sustainability for Higher Education” is an activity that the two Circular Economy-focused organizations like Mahidol University and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited collaborated to organize an online forum on 9th June 9 2021 to present the concept of a circular economy and technology development that takes into account the production line as well as resource utilization and recycling in order to achieve sustainable growth based on an eco-friendly quality of life.

The organizer was honored to welcome both domestic and international guest speakers to this webinar, including:

1. Professor Banchong Mahisavariya, M.D., President of Mahidol University, delivering a lecture on the topic “Commitment to drive the Circular Economy of Mahidol University”;
2. Dr. Chayan Chantavasu, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, delivering a lecture on the topic “Circular economy & Collaboration: Adaptability and Opportunity in Resilience Development”;
3. Ms. Mari Nishimura, UNEP, delivering a lecture on the topic “Behavior Change on Campus”; and 
4. Associate Professor Dr. Kitikorn Chamorndusit, Vice President for Environment and Sustainable Development, delivering a lecture on the topic “Moving on Sustainability and Circular Economy of Mahidol University”.

Along with the lectures, a seminar was organized on the topic “Integrating U-Turn Platform by GC in Mahidol University” and joined by representatives of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited together with current Mahidol University students and alumni. This event was online and delivered via Webex and Facebook Live: Mahidol University Sustainability. There were 261 people in the audience, all of whom were encouraged to apply what they had learned in their daily lives. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of the continuous development toward sustainability.

Activity 2 “We turn” is an activity that encourages people to return plastic bottles for medical development. Jointly organized by Mahidol University and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, the activity targets to provide medical equipment to help COVID-19 patients, by donating income after a deduction of expenses from the sale of upcycling polo shirts, which are made from plastic bottles to Golden Jubilee Medical Center (ไม่แน่ใจว่าใช้ Kanchanaphisek Medical Center หรือ Golden Jubilee), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The university set a goal of collecting 8,000 clear plastic bottles to produce 400 polo shirts for sale on “Mahidol Day” on 24th September 2021. It is also the first time that the Circular Living activity was partnered between higher education institution and the private sector to stimulate a circular economy, reduce global warming, and help patients of COVID-19. During 1st – 30th June 2021, Mahidol University set up five plastic bottle donation tanks within its premises to get plastic bottle donations from students, staff, and the general public. The quantity of plastic bottles exceeded the target thanks to everyone’s efforts, and this helped to promote the concept of plastic waste recycling as well as resource efficiency.

Altogether 19,500 plastic bottles were donated during the campaign during 1st – 30th June. On 2nd July 2021, the university sent all the bottles to PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited to be taken to the factory for cleaning and rationing. This plastic will be transformed into threads for weaving into fabrics and sewing into polo shirts, respectively.  The production was completed and made available for sale on Mahidol Day, 24th September 2021.

Throughout the project implementation, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been applied in accordance with Article 12. Responsible for Consumption and Production, creating awareness of effective use of resources, waste management, and environmentally friendly products selection as well as Article 13. Climate Action, combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.