SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019

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Home / 2019 Sustainability Report / Caring for the Environment
Waste Management
GRI 306-2
ThaiBev’s waste management plan maximizes resource utilization throughout the value chain by using the principle of the 3Rs. ThaiBev encourages all stakeholders to recycle waste, reduce the amount of waste that must be disposed of, and use resources efficiently. Waste management initiatives include post-consumption packaging management, using waste products to generate energy and managing by-products.

ThaiBev collaborates with other organizations to implement innovative projects to add value to waste products. The utilization of waste is in accordance with the principles of the Circular Economy, which ThaiBev uses as a guideline to conduct its business. ThaiBev recognizes its responsibility to communities, society, and the environment.
3Rs

Reduce


Reuse


Recycle


Using Malt By-product for Agriculture


Malt is the primary raw material used in ThaiBev’s beer and spirit production processes. During the manufacturing process, a by-product called “malt residue” is produced. It has many nutritional benefits and is suitable for agricultural use. ThaiBev has collaborated with the Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) to pioneer the project of using malt residue as an ingredient for animal feed. SUT researchers have expertise in cattle feed nutrition, Korat Wagyu cattle-breeding, and environmentally friendly animal feed technology. By experimenting with mixtures of malt residue and dry yeast, a new formula of nutritious animal feed for cattle was developed. This new formula leads to high quality meat, increased fat content, and lower prices. It is safe to consume, in-line with market demands, and reduces environmental impacts.

In addition to the malt residue, malt dust is another leftover. ThaiBev took malt dust that would otherwise go to waste, and offered it to local farmers near one of its factories. The malt dust has high nutritional value as aquaculture feed, for varieties such as catfish and tilapia. By replacing the usual animal feed, costs were reduced by 100 percent. ThaiBev’s agricultural scholars educated and advised the farmers through the entire project. It helped the community to develop additional job opportunities, reduce aquafarming costs, increase productivity, and generate sustainable income.

Production of Biogas from Vinasse to Generate Renewable Energy


Converting waste to energy is a waste management process that ThaiBev has consistently engaged in. To reduce the impacts of using non-renewable fossil fuels, Thai Beverage Energy Company Limited set up a project to use distillery vinasse, a by-product of alcohol production. Distillery vinasse is used to produce biogas that is sent to five distilleries in Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Prachin Buri, and Surat Thani provinces. The biogas is used to produce steam, which in turn can act as a substitute for fossil fuel. This project reduces the emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas. Excess biogas from steam production at the Buriram and Ubon Ratchathani facilities can generate electricity for internal use, and surplus electricity is then sold to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).

Adding value through distillery vinasse from the alcohol production process helps create energy security for the country, and serves as an educational example for local communities. ThaiBev is expanding the project to two more distilleries in Nakhon Sawan and Nong Khai provinces. The two new projects are expected to be completed in 2021, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 76,000 tCO2e annually.
Encouraging Staff to Participate in Waste Reduction by Separating Waste in Office Buildings


To reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and promote the most efficient use of resources through the 3Rs, ThaiBev has launched a campaign to help employees realize the value of their existing resources. The company started its waste management approach by separating office waste with a project called “Collect-Return-Recycle.” The campaign creates awareness and understanding of the benefits of the waste separation process, and shows how value can be created from recyclable waste such as glass bottles, PET bottles, and aluminum cans. If employees see that there is a proper management methodology, and a path for further application of the materials, they will be able to create value and transform waste into useful raw materials. ThaiBev also collaborates with the Federation of Thai Industries’ Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for Sustainable Environment (TIPMSE) to organize training courses for employees about waste separation in office buildings. Employees can apply this basic principle in their daily lives, and in post-consumption management.

Promoting this project and encouraging employees to participate in waste separation for the office has led to different campaigns and projects: such as reducing the use of plastic bags and foam boxes, substituting single-use plastic bags with cloth bags and the clear organization of waste collection points in the work area. All of these efforts encourage employees to participate in waste management programs that promote environmental sustainability.

Commitments and Achievements


In 2019, ThaiBev successfully managed to transform waste into energy through a project run by its subsidiary, Thai Beverage Energy Company Limited, whose core responsibility is to use waste from alcohol production to produce alternative energy. The overall project won the Thailand Energy Awards 2019.
The following projects also won excellence awards in two categories:

  • 1. Outstanding ‘off-grid’ renewable energy project:
    Thai Beverage Energy’s Khon Kaen branch produces biogas from distillery vinasse
  • 2. Renewable Energy Cogeneration Project:
    Thai Beverage Energy’s Buriram branch produces renewable energy from distillery vinasse.
Insight

Narong Sirilertworakul, PhD
President, National Science and Technology Development Agency
“From Waste Management to Sustainability”
“Waste management for various organizations needs to be formulated into appropriate policies and plans. The application of the Circular Economy, a concept that focuses on preserving resources for maximum benefit, and recycling them for use in research or innovation to add value to waste, has allowed ThaiBev to invest in effective waste management with concrete results, and to replace old businesses, as well as to expand existing businesses to become environmentally friendly and sustainable.”


Moving Forward

Total weight of waste and disposal method of Beverage business

In its production of quality beverages and food, ThaiBev places great importance on consumer safety. It selects natural materials through a sourcing process that maintains product quality, and prevents the waste of various processes from affecting the environment and surrounding communities. ThaiBev complies with legal regulations for waste treatment and disposal according to international standards in order to manage waste with the highest efficiency.
The following achievements were made in 2019:

Reuse
Recycling
Composting
Recovery, including energy recovery
Incineration (mass burn)
Landfill