In alignment with International Coastal Cleanup Day, Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) collaborated with over 2,000 volunteers, comprising employees and local community members, to gather trash from seven beaches in seven provinces in Thailand. A commendable total of more than 5,861 kilograms of waste was amassed and appropriately categorized, contributing significantly to the protection of marine ecosystems and aiding in restoring the ocean's vitality.
Kobboon Srichai, Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at CP Foods, shared, "Our commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly the protection of marine ecosystems – a crucial part of the global food chain – aligns seamlessly with our sustainability objectives. This dedication is further demonstrated by our efforts to foster biodiversity, bolster food security, and support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." She emphasized CP Foods’ 'Restore the Ocean' initiative from the prior year, which was launched with the objective of fostering community involvement, collaborating with societal networks, and encouraging employee participation in beach cleanup activities.
CP Foods' proactive efforts have led to tangible results. Observations from the prior year's initiatives indicated enhanced collaboration across various sectors, cleaner beaches, and heightened environmental awareness among employees and community members. Furthermore, innovative approaches have been adopted to upcycle certain types of marine waste. Lightweight bricks are being produced from foam, fishing nets, and plastic nets, while plastic bottle caps find new life as plant pots and containers. This approach, along with establishing an educational resource about marine litter, resonates with the principles of a Circular Economy.
The recent cleanup activities took place in seven coastal beach in seven provinces near CP Foods’ facilities: Na Thap Beach (Chumphon), Phraek Mueang Beach (Nakhon Si Thammarat), Muang Ngam Beach (Songkhla), Pak Nam Prasae Beach (Rayong), Bang Sak Beach (Phang Nga), Hoi Khao Beach (Trat), and Mangrove Research and Development Center 2 (Samut Sakhon). Among the 5,861 kilograms of collected waste, the majority consisted of plastic, glass bottles, foam, fishing gear, and miscellaneous debris. This data is meticulously logged as per Ocean Conservancy's guidelines, a global organization dedicated to establishing a global coastal waste management network, aiming to offer sustainable solutions for marine litter issues.
Kobboon notes that the Company's focus extends beyond immediate results: "These efforts educate both our employees and the community on the significance of preserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity. They also provide participants with the tools and methods for sustainable marine conservation, underscoring CP Foods' lasting pledge to food security for future generations.
