AIS Joins Central Group for “Thailand Without E-Waste” Campaign Expands E-Waste Bins to 34 Department Stores and Office Buildings

Inviting the Thai People to Correctly Separate, Sort and Dispose E-Waste Welcoming a New Normal for E-Waste Disposal

28 May, 2020 : AIS has continued to drive forward its mission to elevate environmentalism and quality of life in Thailand with the “Thailand Without E-Waste” campaign, joining partners in the public and private sector to take on electronic waste (E-Waste) for appropriate disposal, starting with Central Group by adding E-Waste bins to 34 of its department stores nationwide and The Offices at Central World in time for Thai people adjusting to the New Normal following the COVID-19 lockdown to join in the environmental effort.

Mr. Somchai Lertsutiwong, CEO of AIS, remarked that since declaring its mission to improve the environment and quality of life in Thailand, AIS has volunteered to lead the effort in collecting and correctly disposing of E-Waste, starting with the “Dispose of E-Waste with AIS” program, which has been ongoing since October 2019.

The program has collected a variety of E-Waste, including mobile phones/tablets, mobile phone batteries, power banks, charger cables, headphones and handheld devices such as cameras and MP3 players. The items are handled using a Zero Landfilled process to avoid impact on the environment. So far, 49,952 pieces of E-Waste have undergone disposal, removing 499,520 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CDE).

Continuing “Mission Green 2020”, which targets 1 Million kilograms CDE reduced this year, AIS initiated “Thailand Without E-Waste” under the concept “If Everyone were a Network” bringing together environmentally-minded public and private partners to form an ecosystem of sustainable E-Waste management.

Joining with Central Group to distribute E-Waste bins will increase public access and ease to E-Waste disposal. Central Group operates 34 major department stores across Bangkok and provinces throughout the country, all of which are frequently visited and are located near public transit systems. Shoppers at these stores will be able to conveniently drop off their E-Waste at bins setup by AIS at every Central E-Center (34 nationwide) as well as at The Offices at Central World. All bins are expected to be placed by this mid-June.

Mr. Pichai Chirathivat, Managing Director of Central Group, stated “Central Group is dedicated to sustainably improving the quality of life in Thailand and has been doing so through its ‘Central Does – Together and Wholeheartedly’ social program. We have always been aware of our role in environmental protection and have driving environmentalism with the campaign ‘CENTRAL Group Love the Earth’, which has provided benefits at the organizational, community and global levels. Central Group joining hands with AIS to setup E-Waste bins at its stores in support of proper E-Waste disposal and recycling moves us further along our ‘Journey to Zero’”.

Central Group has piloted E-Waste bins at 8 Central Pattana Plc. department stores, namely, Central Plaza Ladprao, Central Plaza Bangna, Central Plaza Rama 2, Central Plaza Rama 3, Central Plaza Pinklao, Central Plaza Grand Rama 9, Central Festival Eastville and The Offices at Central World. The bins are to be placed at a total 34 locations across the country before being expanded to other Central Group businesses, including Baan and Beyond, Tops Supermarket, Family Mart and more.

Find out more about E-Waste programs at https://sustainability.ais.co.th/th/sustainability-projects/ais-ewaste/collection-channels

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