TBR launched the “Bring Back-Recycle” programme in FY 2019 and organized engagement activities to encourage end users to participate in waste-sorting so that post-consumption packaging can be properly managed. This campaign started off as an internal recycling campaign, in which employees were encouraged to separate recyclable post-consumption packaging and donate proceeds to ThaiBev’s employees’ fund. Moreover, to allow ThaiBev’s consumers to properly manage post-consumption packaging, TBR has created a database for recycling drop-off points at www.bringbackrecycle.com/recycle. The database currently features more than 860 drop points for recyclable post-consumption packaging, such as PET bottles, HDPE bottle caps, aluminium cans, and stretchable plastics, i.e. plastic bags and films made of LDPE. Consumers can also access the database via a QR code on Chang-brand packaging.
Creating demand for post-consumption packaging is a key driver in sustainable packaging management under the circular economy model. ThaiBev sees opportunities to explore the use of recycled PET (rPET) in other applications, such as textiles, in order to create value for post-consumption PET bottles and encourage proper recycling of PET through upcycling. One of ThaiBev’s most prominent efforts over the past two years involved retrieving over 15.2 million post-consumption PET bottles and upcycling them into 400,000 rPET blankets. In addition to the blankets, ThaiBev has also helped to fuel demand through partnership programmes to upcycle rPET into textile products, such as tote bag souvenirs at the Thailand Sustainability Expo and football jerseys for Buriram United.