TCP and partners launch reward program for customer recycling in Thai stores

THAILAND – Thai fast-moving consumer goods manufacturer TCP Group has partnered with grocery retailer Big C, vending machine specialist Durbell, and state-owned bank the Krungthai Group to launch the “Get Free Drinks All Year Long, Let’s Recycle Forever” campaign.

This initiative encourages Thai consumers to recycle empty beverage packaging from TCP Group products for a chance to win prizes such as gold, a year of free beverages, and more than 170,000 baht (US$4696).

Packaging drop-off points are located at 15 Big C branches in Bangkok and stores in other provinces.

To participate, consumers must take photos or video clips while depositing the packaging and post them in the comments under a “Drink-Separate-Get Reward” activity post. Each post equals one prize entry.

The activity will be held over three rounds: 31 July 2024, 1 to 31 August, and 1 to 30 September.

This campaign is part of the “TCP WEnergy for the World” corporate initiative and underscores the group’s sustainability goals of developing 100% recyclable beverage packaging.

Big C’s acting first executive vice-president, Ornida Wimolwattanaphan, commented, “This initiative not only makes it easier for Thai consumers to return packaging to the recycling process but also serves as an educational point for customers and the public to learn how to separate waste properly, contributing to a sustainable environment together.”

TCP Group’s corporate affairs and communication department director, Arjaree Suwangool, added, “Proper waste sorting supports efficient recycling, reduces landfill waste, and decreases environmental pollution. This initiative drives a circular economy and aims for sustainable environmental development.”

In August last year, in an effort to boost recycling in Thailand, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage Thailand and Mineré, a subsidiary of Nestlé in Thailand, adopted 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) for their plastic bottles.

Envicco, a joint venture between Thai petrochemical producer PTT Global Chemical and Austrian plastics packaging manufacturer Alpla, produces the bottles.

Previously, Thailand banned the use of recycled material in food-contact applications under existing plastic waste regulations.

However, in June 2022, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reversed this stance, allowing rPET if obtained from a secondary recycling source evaluated for safety and efficiency to ensure contaminants are reduced or eliminated.

Envicco was the first recycler in Thailand to receive ‘food-grade rPET’ certification from the National Food and Drug Administration.

The rPET, labeled ‘InnoEco,’ was also certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before its approval by Thai authorities.

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