Repurposing tangled debris into valuable returns
Central Group's "Love the Earth: Zero Waste" Campaign Tackles Tourism-Related Waste in Thailand
Thailand's retail giant, Central Group, has launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative called "Love the Earth: Zero Waste", aiming to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution [1]. The campaign focuses on key tourism-dependent provinces, such as Samui, Chanthaburi, and Surat Thani, which are under environmental pressure due to unsustainable consumption patterns and inadequate waste management infrastructure.
The initiative encompasses several key components:
- Waste reduction and management: In 2024, Central Group successfully reduced 4,939.08 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of approximately 235,000 trees [1].
- Waste diversion: Through partnerships with independent third-party organizations, the group diverted 43,600 tonnes of waste from landfills, contributing to transparency and accountability in waste handling [1].
- Community engagement: The "Think Dee Roadshow with Recycle Day" programme was introduced to encourage household waste sorting, allowing people to exchange recyclables for reward points. In 2024, the programme collected 7,633.98 kg of recyclables, resulting in a CO₂ reduction of over 27,000 kg, equivalent to planting 2,842 trees [1].
- Collaboration with business and community partners: Central Group works with partners like Central Restaurants Group, Starbucks, and educational institutions, as well as community entities like temples, to enhance sustainability [1].
The "Think Dee Roadshow with Recycle Day" programme, which is part of the broader "Love the Earth: Zero Waste" initiative, has been implemented in the target provinces. It initially targeted office workers at the CentralWorld Office Tower before being expanded. Key partners in the programme's success include Central Restaurants Group, Zen Corporation Group, MK Restaurant Group, The Minor Food Group, Starbucks, and Food Passion.
The campaign aligns with broader national efforts towards sustainable and inclusive tourism, as Central Group is also part of a coalition promoting Thailand as a leader in sustainable tourism by 2030 [4].
Central Group's sustainability efforts emphasise waste reduction and circular economy practices in tourism-heavy provinces, aiming to alleviate environmental stress while fostering public awareness and stakeholder cooperation [1][4].
[1] Central Group, Press Release, July 24, 2021. [2] Central Group, Annual Report 2024. [3] Central Group, Sustainability Report 2024. [4] Thailand Sustainable Tourism Coalition, "Thailand's Sustainable Tourism 2030 Roadmap".
- Central Group's "Love the Earth: Zero Waste" initiative, which includes the "Think Dee Roadshow with Recycle Day" program, focuses on key tourism-dependent provinces within Thailand, like Samui, Chanthaburi, and Surat Thani, to address the triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
- In an effort to contribute to transparency and accountability in waste handling, Central Group partners with independent third-party organizations to divert 43,600 tonnes of waste from landfills.
- Central Group works with numerous businesses and community partners, such as Central Restaurants Group, Starbucks, educational institutions, and community entities like temples, to promote sustainability and reduce waste in tourism-heavy provinces.
- The "Love the Earth: Zero Waste" campaign's goals extend beyond waste reduction, as it aims to foster a circular economy by encouraging recycling and promoting environmental consciousness within the retail, lifestyle, home-and-garden, finance, and business sectors.
