Waste Management

SCGP manages elimination of pollutants, and industrial waste according to 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and Circular Economy principles. We continuously improve, upgrade the production process and develop research and innovation to maximize pollutants and waste reductions throughout the supply chain. We also recycle the production waste as raw materials and waste-to-alternative fuel, also convert to value-added products. Therefore, we can reduce the use of raw materials from natural resources and minimize the impacts on the environment and society.

Strategy

Strive to reduce and eliminate waste generation at the source and set as the indicators for continual assessment.

Manage industrial waste, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes at maximum within SCG and SCGP following the 3R and Circular Economy principles and using measures or standards issued by the government or world-class organizations aiming to perform beyond compliance.

Research and develop innovation to reuse, recycle raw material and waste or create value to waste by converting them to value-added products.

Zero Waste to Landfill Policy

Zero waste to landfill from operations in Thailand since 2012.
Zero waste to landfill from operations abroad by 2030.
Zero waste disposal by incineration without energy recovery from operations in Thailand by 2025.

Highlight Waste Management Activities

Reduction of Waste in the Production Process

Reduction of Hazardous Chemicals in Printing Ink:

The vibrancy and aesthetics of packaging are major considerations for customers. However, printing ink pigments contain varying level of copper compounds. At SCGP’s Innovation and Product Development Center, the research team, in collaboration with the production team at Thai Containers Group SCGP, has explored methods for separating copper compounds from wastewater that has undergone post-production treatment (chemical precipitation). As a result, the production process now employs printing inks with reduced copper content, which are used in the production process to reduce the overall amount of hazardous waste. The initiative has been implemented across all SCGP container manufacturing plants.

Value-Added Management of Fiber Sludge from Filtration:

The fiber sludge extracted in the wastewater treatment process is repurposed as a raw material in paper production without compromising paper quality. In 2024, 10,660 tons of fiber sludge from filtration was successfully utilized.

Utilization of Starch Waste as Soil Amendment:

SCGP’s packaging box manufacturing plants now use tapioca starch as an adhesive in the production process. Treated water from the production process still contains starch sludge, which is a natural byproduct and is analyzed as non-hazardous. This starch waste is sent to Siam Forestry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SCGP , to be used as soil amendment instead of being disposed. In 2024, over 160 tons of starch waste was converted into soil amendment.

New Materials and Products from Waste

Processing Fly Ash and Bottom Ash:

This initiative focuses on developing products from fly ash and bottom ash generated from boilers to create eco-friendly bricks including PROBLOCK-ECO Bricks, Miracle Block, and temporary and permanent partition barriers. In 2024, these innovations contributed to a reduction approximately 5,210 tons of waste requiring disposal.

Recycled Plastic Pellets:

Utilizing advanced technology plastic scraps from the waste reject generated during paper recycling process are separated and melted into recycled pellets, which are then used as raw materials in product manufacturing. This process significantly to reduce waste disposal through incineration and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled plastic pellets are produced in SCGP’s operations in Indonesia and Thailand.

Training

SCGP has implemented the Environmental Performance Assessment Program (EPAP) which features an internal assessment component. This assessment framework was developed in collaboration with ERM Thailand, a reputable international environmental sustainability consulting firm. The framework covers five main components: governance, supply chain management, operation (related to waste management), product & service and stakeholder management & communication. SCGP conducted the training of EPAP to related employees in March 2024.

In alignment with the Ministry of Industry’s announcement on the Management of Waste or Unused Materials BE 2566 (2023), which came into effect in November 2023, SCGP organized a training session on industrial waste regulations and management best practices was organized by SCGP for relevant suppliers on 25 June 2024 to assist them in achieving compliance. A total of 29 waste management service providers attended this training session including SCGP employees related to waste management.

Waste Management