27 August 2020, Bangkok – Blue Carbon Society, TerraCycle Global Foundation, and TerraCycle Thai Foundation have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collect and recycle plastic waste removed from the Lat Phrao Canal and to inspire action on other canals to reduce marine plastic pollution.
Through the new partnership, TerraCycle Thai Foundation will operate two river plastic capture traps. These floating devices are designed to increase the amount of debris and marine plastics collected from Thai waterways. Using the traps, the waste will be intercepted and removed before it reaches and pollutes the ocean. The partnership will also establish education programs, improve data collection, and contribute to developing sustainable waste management systems in the region.
TerraCycle Thai Foundation will establish a sorting facility by the canal. This facility will sustainably recycle waste collected by the traps and by all the other organizations in the Thai government’s marine debris management program. The end goal is to use recycled waste to create materials that can be incorporated in various applications. Potential new uses range from primary packaging for major global brands to road and construction materials.
M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, Chairman of TerraCycle Thai Foundation, signed the MoU with Dr. Jwanwat Ahriyavraromp, Chairman of Blue Carbon Society, at Mae Fah Luang Foundation, Bangkok Office.
Dr. Jwanwat Ahriyavraromp, Chairman of Blue Carbon Society, said: “Blue Carbon Society looks forward to working with TerraCycle Thai Foundation and the people of Lat Phrao on this exciting project. As part of spreading awareness, we will launch programs at three local schools with the BMA and help analyze refuse. Our ultimate goal is to create a sustainable waste management system where no plastic enters the canal or reaches the ocean.”
M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, Chairman of TerraCycle Thai Foundation, said: “Cleaning the country’s rivers and canals is critically important. TerraCycle Thai Foundation is pleased to work at Lat Phrao with Blue Carbon Society to continue our mission to implement a circular system of solutions designed to clean up waterways, increase waste collection, and capture more recyclable material, all while working to solve Thailand’s waste crisis.”
Set up by Dr. Jwanwat and Mrs. Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp in 2018, Blue Carbon Society inspires action to conserve and restore coastal and marine environments vital to combating climate change.
Established in 2018, TerraCycle Global Foundation is building an international network of charities to work with communities in countries that create the most ocean plastic waste.