Creative Economy Agency

CEA and ERC unveil “Wonder Waste!”, an innovative and sustainable community waste sorting project, at four locations as part of their efforts toward renewable energy.

The Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, together with the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC, proudly showcased their successful renewable energy project, “Wonder Waste!” The project, which aims to promote a renewable economy and zero-waste society, is carried out at four pilot sites, including the Charoenkrung and Nong Khaem neighborhoods in Bangkok, the Srichan neighborhood in Khon Kaen province, and Phuket Old Town.

“Wonder Waste!” consists of four innovative models for household and community solid waste management. Through a design thinking process and a co-creation approach, inputs and ideas from neighborhood residents play a significant role in the development and implementation of each model, which is area-specific in terms of usage context and household and community waste disposal behavior. These pilot models are to be expanded to other public and private organizations to promote proper waste sorting before disposal or conversion to fuel for the energy industry.

Information on the four waste separation models are as follows:

1. PowerPick  
Developed by Khor Corporation Company Limited
Pilot Site: Laan Baimai, Yip In Tsoi Company Limited, Mahaphruttharam Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 

The model was created to tackle the growing volume of waste from online food orders, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. Under this model, a pop-up service is available to help separate food and drinks packaging made of lightweight plastics or paper. A garbage bag vending machine is also implemented, and supported with counter service and a lab that can handle waste product processing from compressing, cleaning, and heating to packing ready to be used as refuse-derived fuel (RDF). In addition, the PowerPick WtE eBike application allows users to schedule a mobile waste pick up service.   

2. care4  
Developed by Pisate Virangkabutra and team
Pilot Site: Mu Ban Chitnarong 21, near a waste-to-energy power plant in the Nong Khaem district of Bangkok

Under the model, which integrates engineering and designing principles into waste separation,, waste humidity is reduced through the processes of sorting – collecting – storing – delivering waste products. Proper garbage bags and bins are provided and placed in different areas in the house with guidelines to ensure a proper waste sorting. Moreover, a door-to-door bicycle household waste collection service is available to encourage waste sorting among the residents. Waste products will then be sorted and stored using a solar waste dryer to extract humidity before going through the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's waste management process.
        
3. BoonBoon
Developed by FabCafe Bangkok
Pilot Site: Srichan neighborhood in Khon Kaen province
    
Smart waste-collecting cat robots, equipped with delivery robot technology, help promote community engagement in waste separation. The model uses a garbage bin as an information agent to increase awareness and understanding of waste sorting. “Boon Lek,” the café’s version of the cat robot, collects waste inside the shops participating in the program while providing a better understanding of waste among the customers. “Boon Yai,” the bigger robot, which is used for outdoor waste collection, collects waste products that have been separated at the source from shops in the area through an appointment via a Line Official account. Both indoor and outdoor waste stations are available for the robots’ waste drop-offs.  In addition, the Activity Waste Information campaign has been organized in partnership with neighborhood residents.
        
 4. BABA Waste 
Developed by Weerachai Pranweerapaiboon and the RDM Strategist team
Pilot Site: Phuket Old Town
    
The waste management model was developed specifically for the café business and household owners. Colored coded garbage bags are used to ensure mutual understanding between household and business owners (the source), trash collectors, and Phuket’s integrated waste management center. Ideas for business models are also provided to ensure comprehensive and sustainable waste management. The model makes use of BABABINs, which are garbage bins for indoor and outdoor use, BABABAGs, color-coded garbage bags for different waste materials such as refuse, food waste, recyclable waste, and hazardous waste, and BABACONE composting kits.   
 

“Wonder Waste!” Showcase exhibition is open to the public from today until 8 December 2021.
Venue: The Material & Design Innovation Center, 2nd Floor, Back Building, TCDC, Bangkok
Time: 10.30 – 19.00
Open Tuesday – Sunday (Closed on Monday)
Admission: Free* (For a visitor’s pass, please contact Info Guru Counter, 5th Floor, TCDC, Bangkok)