Ajinomoto Strengthens its Eco-conscious Leadership with Circular Economy and Sustainable Plastic Upcycling Initiatives

Ajinomoto Strengthens its Eco-conscious Leadership with
Circular Economy and Sustainable Plastic Upcycling Initiatives

• Collaborates with Trash Lucky to launch the “Waste to Worth for Well-Being” project, transforming “Ros Dee” pouches into multi-purpose shelves and supporting communities in waste management.
• Proudly announced the launch of 9,000 “Eco-Friendly Uniforms” made from recycled plastic bottles, reinforcing its commitment to being a green organization.

Bangkok – 20 August 2024 - Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., a global leader in the creation of ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ lifestyles, is further solidifying its role as an eco-conscious pioneer by incorporating the Circular Economy into its business operations. With a primary goal of achieving zero plastic waste and reducing environmental impacts by 50% by 2030, the company has launched the “Waste to Worth for Well-Being” project in collaboration with Trash Lucky, an eco-friendly startup. This initiative focuses on effective plastic waste management in the Dusit community, including the transformation of “Ros Dee” pouches into multi-purpose shelves. The project also emphasizes expanding the company’s green culture by repurposing recycled plastic bottles into 9,000 “Eco-Friendly Uniforms” for Ajinomoto employees. These efforts highlight the company’s dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility across all aspects of its operations.

Ms. Kesya Chaicharncheep, Director of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd., said, “We are incorporating the circular economy concept into our operations and resource management through the 3R principle: 1) Reduce, minimizing resource usage; 2) Reuse, repurposing materials; and 3) Recycle, by transforming waste into new value. Our goal is to efficiently manage resources and maximize their value, thereby contributing to long-term sustainability for both society and the economy. This commitment underscores Ajinomoto’s dedication to minimizing environmental impacts across all our business activities, with the aim of reducing these impacts by 50% by 2030, ultimately promoting sustainable ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ for Thai society.”

To establish a concrete approach to plastic waste management, Ajinomoto has implemented an initiative through two main activities:

1. Collaboration with Trash Lucky: Ajinomoto partnered with Trash Lucky, an innovative startup focused on turning waste into value, to launch the “Waste to Worth for Well-Being” project. This initiative emphasizes sustainable packaging management by developing innovative waste management and recycling practices under the concept of “Waste for Points, Waste to Worth for Well-Being.” The project, initiated in collaboration with Dusit District, Bangkok, and three pilot communities including Sirisas Flats, Tor Pah Community, and Krua Tai Community, educates and promotes community participation in waste separation at the source. Within three months (May to July), a total of 5,401 kilograms of packaging waste was collected for recycling, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 4,284 kilograms, which is equivalent to planting 476 trees. Additionally, plastic packaging waste from “Ros Dee” pouches was recycled into 40 sets of multi-purpose shelves and delivered to two educational institutions: Nontri Primary School, Bangkok Primary Educational Service Area Office, and Hirunponganusorn School, Pathum Thani Primary Educational Service Area Office 2, to enhance learning opportunities and support the development of future leaders for Thai society.

During the closing ceremony of the "Waste to Worth for Well-Being” Project, Ms. Ubon Muangtim, Baan Pak On Karn Tor Pa Community Leader, remarked, "I'm delighted to be part of this project. Since participating, I have noticed that our residents are more engaged and now understand the importance of sorting daily waste. This project has not only raised awareness but also emphasizes the need for waste separation from the outset. We actively collect and recycle separated waste, which helps reduce waste volumes and mitigates global warming, starting within our community.
I also commend Ajinomoto for recognizing the importance of this issue and spearheading this important initiative.

2. Ajinomoto Eco-Friendly Uniforms: Ajinomoto is promoting a green culture within the organization by creating 9,000 eco-friendly uniforms for its employees, made from fabric sourced from recycled PET plastic bottles. These uniforms, made from “Micro Extra recycled” fabric fibers, are designed to be minimalist, comfortable, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and require no ironing, thereby reducing energy consumption and the use of hazardous chemicals in production. Each uniform is made from an average of 20 plastic bottles, helping to reduce plastic waste by more than 180,000 bottles and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by over 8,000 kilograms, equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by 360 trees. This initiative instills environmental care in every step of the employees’ journey and promotes a corporate culture of environmental stewardship.

Ajinomoto’s operations consistently consider environmental impacts at every stage, supporting the circular economy by promoting the efficient use of natural resources and advancing sustainability within Thai society.