THINK CYCLE BANK

ThinkCycle Bank

“Recycling Garbage….to Change the World”

As part of its mission, the university seeks to serve the community, enhance the quality of life, and improve the environment with the knowledge and experience gained from its numerous initiatives. Initially, the pilot plan is to apply the knowledge in the establishment and management of the recycling waste bank project for schools surrounding the university along with demonstrations and guidance on the implementation of the project as well as to cooperate to achieve practical and sustainable results. The main goal is to involve students, teachers and parents participated in the waste reduction process and generated income from the waste separation in order to improve the quality of life, build a low-carbon community, promote community engagement among schools, families, and communities under the concept of “Eco Town – Mahidol and Community Engagement”.

On 26th July 2018, Associate Professor Dr. Kitikorn Chamorndusit, Acting Vice President for Environment and Sustainable Development, together with Ms. Warawan Tippawanich, Executive Vice President Corporate Communications Division, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited attended the launch of the project “GC ThinkCycle Bank”. It is a collaboration between Mahidol University and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited by which the projects promote the establishment of a recycled waste bank. The goal is to turn waste into economic value with an online recycled waste bank system to solve the problem of waste management, cultivate awareness of waste separation and recycle waste in line with the Circular Economy principle, and build a waste management network from the household level to the provincial level. Taken place at the PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Rayong Office, Rayong Province, the project launched 12 pilot schools along with the community in Rayong for the implementation of the recycled waste bank in compliance with the government policy on solid waste and hazardous waste management that all sectors shall collaborate to achieve clear and concrete guidelines.

On 29th May 2019, Mahidol University, together with PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, organized a training program on ThinkCycle Bank “Throwing Recyclable Waste…to Change the World”. The program is for the youths to be aware of the waste issues in the community, have a better understanding, and maximize knowledge of waste management processes including waste collection, waste separation, and waste recycling. It also provides opportunities for the youths to participate in waste management in their communities and gain income from recycling waste through the Recycled Waste Bank. There were 10 schools participating in this training program, organized at Hat Saeng Seafood Restaurant, Muang District, Rayong Province.

Throughout the implementation period, there were 22 schools in Rayong province that participated in the ThinkCycle Bank, while Mahidol University has conducted field visits to assist and solve any challenges the schools had. This led to the success in 2020 in which the ThinkCycle Bank project met the goals set in the SDGs.

The results are in accordance with the target SDGs, Article 8. Decent Work and Economic, promoting equitable and appropriate wages, reducing the unemployment rate,

creating a suitable working environment, and supporting economic growth as well as Article 12. Responsible for Consumption and Production, creating awareness of effective use of resources, waste management, and environmentally friendly products selection.