Thailand Food Waste Program Cuts 1,774 Tons in Six Months
Thailand's six-month food waste reduction pilot program diverted 1,774 tons from landfills across major shopping centers and universities, generating 3.5 million baht in economic benefits while preventing over 1,000 tons of carbon emissions
Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Ministry reported success from its six-month "Reduce, Don't Waste: Stop Food Waste SDG 12.3" program, which diverted 1,774.35 tons of food waste from landfills and generated 3.5 million baht in economic benefits. Environment Minister Suchati Chomklin designated food waste reduction as an urgent policy priority and declared 2025 the launch year for Thailand's nationwide food waste reduction initiative, aiming to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 on sustainable production and consumption.
The Policy and Planning Office for Natural Resources and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding with 15 organizations—including major shopping malls and universities—to serve as pilot implementers. The program targeted four shopping centers: Siam Paragon, Central Pattana, The Mall, and Seacon, mobilizing nearly 900 food vendors to implement proper food waste management.
Results from the six-month pilot (October 2024–March 2025) demonstrated tangible progress: food waste at the source was reduced by 103 tons (valued at 6.2 million baht), equivalent to preventing 89.4 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, 1,774.35 tons of food waste were diverted from landfills through composting, animal feed production, and biogas generation, achieving "zero waste to landfill" status and preventing 1,013.16 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The results underscore the private sector's readiness to partner in advancing sustainable production and consumption toward Thailand's SDG 12.3 targets.
