Ajinomoto Partners with TerraCycle to Empower Youth and Protect Our Oceans through Green School Program 2026

On the occasion of World Oceans Day Month, Ajinomoto (Thailand) in collaboration with TerraCycle Thai Foundation, organized the “Canal Cleanup: Stop Plastic to the Ocean” activity under the Green School Program 2026. The initiative engaged teachers and students from Thep Wittaya School in hands-on learning experiences on sustainable waste management through the Waste Management and Recycling Workshop. The activity aimed to enhance environmental knowledge, strengthen awareness, and inspire young generations to take action in protecting waterways and oceans from the growing challenge of plastic pollution.

Under the concept of “Protecting the ocean starts with proper waste management at the source,” the activity provided students with an opportunity to experience real-world environmental challenges and understand the impact of plastic waste on ecosystems and aquatic life. Through experiential learning, students explored different types of plastics, proper waste segregation, used milk carton management, and responsible resource utilization. They also participated in discussions and idea-sharing sessions to develop practical solutions for waste separation and recycling that can be applied in their daily lives.

Throughout the activity, students contributed to preventing plastic waste from reaching rivers and oceans by collecting a total of 2,257 kilograms of waste. All collected waste will be sorted by TerraCycle and processed through appropriate waste management and recycling systems based on material types. This approach helps maximize resource recovery, reduce potential environmental leakage, and support the transition toward a circular economy.

The “Canal Cleanup: Stop Plastic to the Ocean” activity is part of the Green School Program, which builds upon Ajinomoto’s “Waste to Worth for Well-Being” initiative. The program works together with partners and communities to promote the recovery of used plastic packaging and ensure proper waste management while expanding sustainability learning activities in schools. These include initiatives such as School Waste Bank and environmental learning activities designed to help students understand the value of resources and the importance of transforming waste into new value through the principles of the circular economy.

Ajinomoto believes that “Sustainability begins with small actions close to us.” Building a truly sustainable society starts with cultivating knowledge, understanding, and environmental responsibility among young generations from an early age. Today’s children and youth are the driving force of tomorrow’s society, and learning through real-life experiences plays a vital role in shaping responsible mindsets, behaviors, and a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility. Through these efforts, Ajinomoto aims to empower future generations to become responsible citizens who can create positive and lasting change for society and the planet.

This collaboration reflects Ajinomoto’s commitment to advancing sustainability under the Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value (ASV) philosophy, which focuses on creating shared value among business, society, and the environment in a balanced manner. Ajinomoto believes that meaningful and sustainable change can only be achieved through collective action and collaboration among all sectors, working together to build a future where people, communities, and the environment can thrive together.