TCP Group energizes Caring strategy by joining the PackBack Network, applying EPR in packaging waste management to build a sustainable economy

TCP Group received an honorary medal and certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Pollution Control Department, and Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for Sustainable Environment (TIPMSE) under the Federation of Thai Industries (F.T.I), for joining the “PackBack” network, and demonstrating a leader and responsible organization in sustainability.

TCP Group is one of the organizations that studied the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, which extends the producer’s responsibility to include their network, so they will be jointly responsible for managing and renewing post-consumer packaging waste. This is in line with TCP Group’s Caring strategy to drive the circular economy backed by the Thai government’s BCG Model.

The PackBack Project: Returning Packaging for Sustainable Days, which launched in 2021 to collect packaging in support of sustainability, is a collaboration involving TIPMSE and 50 other organizations in the public and private sectors, engaging manufacturers, distributors, aggregators, recycling plants, and the municipalities of Saensuk, Ban Bueng, and Koh Sichang sub-district. This pilot project took place in Chonburi province applying EPR to promote packaging management based on the circular economy. The current EPR network now includes more than 70 partner organizations with many others having shown in interest in joining.

The collaborations among network partners in this project will work through the following four approaches: 1) Studying packaging development mechanisms based on EPR; 2) Creating a prototype and collecting relevant information; 3) Building awareness on proper packaging management and an understanding of EPR; and 4) Expanding cooperation to involve more manufacturers, thereby creating a mechanism or ecosystem suited to Thailand’s focus on the circularity of post-consumer waste.

In addition, this is a way for producers and other sectors to prepare to participate in the “PackBack” project. Their involvement can be further extended by creating an ideal network that puts EPR-based packaging management to work in Thailand. This step should help us better cope with the more rigorous rules and regulations to protect the global environment in the future.