TCP Spirit Continues with “Kana Sed Sarng Year 2” to Explore a Closed-Loop “Circular Economy” and Create a Network of New Generation Volunteers to “Learn-Take Action-Pass on” a Sustainable World

TCP Spirit goes beyond volunteer work, encompassing not just learning and taking action but also providing inspiration and having enduring positive impacts. Rooted in the genuine intent of TCP Group, TCP Spirit aims to intensify its commitment to transform the concept of the "circular economy" into concrete actions. This year, TCP Spirit is leading “Kana Sed Sarng (Faculty of Waste to Value) Year 2” through “Aew Nuea Keun Doi Tamroi Vidhi Rai Kaya (A Journey to the North: Up on the Mountain to Follow the Path of Zero Waste),” heading to the Doi Tung Development project, a model for sustainable development, where volunteers can channel their energy and take action to manage “waste” and “create” new value within a closed-loop cycle. Furthermore, they can gain insights in the interconnectedness of ecosystems, allowing them to delve deeper into the core of the issue.

The clear success of TCP Spirit's “Kana Sed Sarng Year 1,” which took volunteers to the Baan Haad Sai Dam community in Ranong Province to learn about waste management through activities such as sorting, collecting, and converting waste into a source of income for the community, initiated a volunteer network that energized community members, improving awareness of their environmental impacts and encouraging more active participation in waste management. Currently, the program has resulted in the collection of more than 43 tons of recyclable materials, marking a 200% increase. TCP Group is now embarking on the next phase, TCP Spirit’s “Kana Sed Sarng Year 2,” with a deeper commitment to intensive waste management practices that contribute to achieving zero waste.

Transforming a powerful vision into a strong network

Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, Chief Executive Officer of TCP Group, said, “We believe that with energy comes the potential for a better world. Thus, we are diligently working to achieve sustainability through TCP Spirit, a volunteer learning project that also addresses crucial social and environmental issues. Our goal is to foster a deep understanding of these concerns, while building a strong network among the new generation volunteers who have the energy and are ready to inspire others to join in creating a better world for all. This year, I am honored to welcome a group of seniors from Kana Sed Sarng Year 1, who will serve as TCP Spirit's volunteers and mentors to closely take care of and provide valuable guidance to our volunteers. Concurrently, our Year 2 volunteers will learn intensively about the closed-loop cycle of the ‘circular economy,’ which is gaining momentum worldwide, to protect the environment and conserve our planet's resources through everyone's collaboration.”

TCP Spirit's Kana Sed Sarng Year 2 presents “Aew Nuea Keun Doi Tamroi Vidhi Rai Kaya,” taking volunteers to the natural classroom to explore the concept of the “circular economy” in its closed-loop cycle. The volunteers will also engage in a waste sorting activity, actively transforming unusable waste into valuable materials. In addition, they will learn about the story of material recycling in the industry and reusing resources to save our planet. The TCP Spirit project takes place annually, offering volunteers the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and understand existing challenges so that they can take collective action driving positive change within society.

Exploring the "circular economy" through collective and practical actions

Dr. Petch Manopawitr, a conservation scientist and head teacher at Kana Sed Sarng, a real-life university, introduced this year's curriculum, whereby 60 volunteers will do a deep dive into the concept of the “circular economy” through practical experiences. The curriculum features a special focus on the ‘Doi Tung Model,’ which integrates sustainable development from the Doi Tung Development Project in Chiang Rai Province. The volunteers will learn about the closed-loop cycle, beginning with a waste separation activity at Doi Tung’s Materials Recovery Facility, which has the capability to sort up to 44 different types of waste, transforming them into reusable materials, and adding value which contributes to income for the community. They will also engage in workshops designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability with ‘The Butterfly Diagram: Visualizing the Circular Economy,’ unveiling the secrets of the circular cycle from the natural classroom and showing the connections between human and environment that impacts each other, serving as an important starting point to understand and take part in solving environmental crisis currently affecting the world.”

Environmentally-friendly courses for volunteers:

• Anatomy of “Waste”: Gain an understanding of the context within the office and production plant by examining residual materials or “waste” in order to take practical actions. The objective is not only to separate waste left over from consumption but to also consider its final destination, where it can be sorted into as many as 44 different types, all of which can be reused.
• Unleashing Opportunities and Igniting Wisdom: Transform "waste" into “materials,” such as converting plastic into pots to grow plants, utilizing onion peels as a source for fabric dye, turning snack wrappers into functional furniture, and making earthworm fertilizer – a surprisingly circular process in itself. Volunteers have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and explore ways to transform waste into a range of applications.
• Journey of Waste: Share stories of waste through the remarkable works of art crafted by volunteers, shedding light on the process of waste regeneration. Everyone can apply this knowledge at home or explore additional ideas to create value and promote zero waste in various ways.
• Creating Value by Transforming "Waste" into “Materials”: Volunteers will collaborate to restore deteriorated roads by repurposing leftover molds from ceramic production. These molds will be blended with cement and macadamia nut shells to fill potholes and create a smooth surface, thereby improving traffic safety within the community.
• Planting People and Forests, Embracing the Cycle of Life: Volunteers will be led through a forest, where they can tune into the sounds of birds and reconnect with the essence of nature along paths that traverse diverse landscapes, including forests for harvesting and household use, forests for economic use, and conservation zones. This journey reflects the sustainable coexistence of humanity and nature.
• Stars in the Universe: Lessons learned from the circular economy, as demonstrated by the Butterfly Diagram, will help volunteers discover the connection between humanity and nature, where every action creates a ripple effect. This illustrates “The Butterfly Effect,” proving that small actions can have big impacts on the planet.
• Thesis: Crystalize thoughts, enhance creativity from all learning activities, and distill these experiences into a THESIS on transforming “waste” to “create” value, while sharing innovative ideas and positive energy to drive meaningful change.