Journey to Zero: Plastic Packaging Management

One of the world’s most challenging environmental problems is plastic waste, which is the primary material used for packaging. This has intensified the urgency to avoid single-use plastic packaging and instead maximize the efficiency of reusable packaging. Central Retail recognizes the importance of addressing the plastic waste problem by eliminating single-use plastic packaging and aims to recycle packaging materials, striving to use 100% recycled materials by 2030.

Central Retail aims to phase out single-use plastic packaging to reduce non-recyclable waste and has already ceased using single-use plastic bags across all stores in Thailand. Central Retail has been raising awareness and educating their customers, employees, and stakeholders about the environmental problems caused by single-use plastic packaging through in-store advertising and online social media channels to encourage more sustainable behaviors, aligning with Central Retail’s ambition to completely phase out single-use plastic packaging.

Additionally, Central Retail is reducing packaging use by encouraging customers to bring their own reusable packaging through campaigns such as “Bring Your Own Bag” and “Say No to Plastic Bags”, and also by offering reward points that can be redeemed for special privileges and discounts in stores through the Company’s The1 membership. These initiatives have significantly increased packaging reuse. In 2023, they helped avoid the use of over 7.37 million single-use plastic bags, equivalent to 92 tons.

However, some customers still request shopping bags from Central Retail under certain circumstances. Therefore, to create a circular economy system, Central Retail offers special shopping bags made from recycled plastic. These bags use less plastic overall and are designed with increased thickness for enhanced strength and durability, allowing for multiple uses. Once worn or damaged, these bags can be recycled and reproduced into new bags made from recycled materials.

Furthermore, Central Retail has directly collected plastic bottle wastes from various points throughout its stores for upcycling into products such as blankets and bags, which are 1,020,000 bottles. In 2023, they collected and upcycled over 1,020,000 plastic bottles, equivalent to 13,770 kilograms.

Central Retail's efforts to phase out single-use plastic packaging, promote reusable, recyclable, and recycled packaging, along with offering incentives and eco-friendly packaging options to customers, are driving sustainability changes in the retail sector. Overall, these initiatives aim to use resources efficiently, reduce plastic waste, and strengthen customer confidence in the company’s commitment to environmental friendliness and sustainable business practices.