Bangkok: The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and its partners have officially launched the "Waste-for-Goods Station Bueng Phra Ram 9 Phatthana Community," a new initiative aimed at expanding waste management models to urban areas. This innovative project encourages local residents to separate waste at the source and exchange recyclable materials for consumer goods.
According to Thai News Agency, the project is a collaborative effort between SET, Saha Pathanapibul Co., Ltd. (SPC), Wat Phra Ram 9 Kanchanaphisek, Phra Ram 9 Kanchanaphisek School, and the Bueng Phra Ram 9 Pattana community. It builds on the success of the "Invisible Waste Station: A Powerful Community Empowerment Project in Bang Krachao," adapting it for urban communities. The initiative aims to create a community-level waste management mechanism that supports the circular economy by allowing sorted waste to be exchanged for recyclable goods.
Mr. Rongrak Phanapawutikul, Deputy Manager and Head of Legal and Corporate Risk Management at SET, emphasized the organization's commitment to promoting environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) across all sectors. The project seeks to replicate the successful waste management model from Bang Krachao in urban communities near SET facilities, with the goal of protecting the environment and enhancing residents' quality of life. It aims to foster collaboration and systematic waste management, highlighting the tangible benefits of waste sorting and recycling.
Phra Khru Sirithammasarn (Chaiya Sirithammo), assistant abbot of Wat Phra Ram 9 Kanchanaphisek, expressed the temple's readiness to serve as a central hub for the initiative, based on the "Bovorn" principle (Home-Temple-School). He noted that involving the community, temple, and school in the project would promote environmental awareness and contribute to creating a clean and sustainable living environment.
Ms. Wasana Chaengkrachang, chairperson of the Bueng Phra Ram 9 Pattana community, stated that the community committee is focused on changing residents' perspectives about waste value. By encouraging the separation of easily recyclable waste, such as PET bottles, glass bottles, and milk cartons, the community aims to demonstrate the value of waste over selling it by weight. The separated waste will be sold to buyers for recycling, with proceeds supporting further community development.
Ms. Chailada Tantivejkul, Deputy Managing Director of Saha Patanapibul Co., Ltd. (SPC), highlighted the company's ongoing partnership with SET in driving environmental projects. SPC continues to support the community by providing consumer goods for the "waste-for-return" program, which incentivizes waste sorting and helps reduce living costs for residents.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from community members, who exchanged clean, collected glass and water bottles for goods at the recycling station in Bueng Phra Ram 9. The next exchange will occur on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, with recyclable goods like instant noodles, flour, and toothpaste available for exchange. Additionally, SET and its partners donated eggs, survival kits, a waste scale, and a Moneyfolio financial board game to support the community and local school.
The "Waste Exchange Station Bueng Phra Ram 9 Phatthana Community" operates on the first Saturday of each month at the community sports field. The Rama IX Lake project, which includes three previous events, has already resulted in the sorting and exchange of over 1.5 tons of recyclable waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 1,200 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. This demonstrates the community's potential in effective waste management and minimizing environmental impact.