Thailand’s Mounting Trash Problem Finds a Solution in Plant Life
Universal Biopack, a company based in Thailand, is tackling the country’s trash problem by producing innovative packaging made from a mixture of bamboo and cassava. These crops are abundant throughout Thailand and offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
Despite its significant economic growth in recent years, Thailand has struggled to address the issue of excessive waste production, which is a common problem in many other countries in the region.
Vara-Anong Vichakyothin, the managing director of Universal Biopack, acknowledges that waste management is a widespread issue. The company aims to combat this problem by utilizing a unique technology developed at a university in Bangkok, which enables the production of zero-waste packaging. The company hopes that this packaging will replace the commonly used Styrofoam boxes and plastic bags that contribute to the vast garbage dumps in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
The development of the eco-friendly formula took five years, and its versatility allows it to be potentially used for packaging various items, including furniture and electronics. The bamboo used in the packaging is sourced from leftover scraps from the chopstick manufacturing process.
Universal Biopack currently supplies restaurants, organic farmers, and businesses within the food and beverage industry in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. However, it faces challenges in acquiring new clients, as many takeout food vendors in Thailand prioritize cost reduction due to the competitive nature of the industry.
Inefforts to become more competitive, Universal Biopack plans to invest in the expansion of its production capacity. The company intends to build a partially automated assembly line near Bangkok, hire more staff, and increase its monthly capacity from 300,000 to one million units.
Universal Biopack’s sustainable packaging has attracted attention from overseas markets, with one customer using the eco-friendly packaging for exporting coconut water. The company also reports interest from other countries, particularly in Scandinavia.
CNNMoney (Hong Kong) First published February 12, 2017: 9:08 PM ET
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