Seven leading organisations congratulate 6 winning teams in CHOICEISYOURS 2023 competition, empowering Thailand’s Youth for Circular Economy initiatives

BMW Group Thailand, Central Group and Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Noble Development, and Delta Electronics (Thailand) have joined forces to cultivate a new generation empowered with Circular Economy principles, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Bangkok. A collaboration between BMW Group Thailand, Central Group and Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Noble Development, and Delta Electronics (Thailand) culminated in the closing ceremony of the ‘CHOICEISYOURS 2023’ program and announce winner teams from the competition. The project, now in its second year, is dedicated to instilling the principles of circular economy and sustainable development in Thai students. Its objective is to enable them to generate and present innovative ideas that can evolve into viable projects for local communities. Additionally, the project serves as a learning platform, providing both theoretical and practical experiences, empowering Thai youth to contribute collectively to the Circular Economy of Thailand.

Mr. Sven Hovden, Chief Financial Officer of BMW Group Thailand, commented on the program: “The collaboration between Central Group and Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Noble Development, Delta Electronics (Thailand), and BMW Group Thailand has been pivotal to the success of the CHOICEISYOURS program in its second year. BMW is committed to addressing global warming, a commitment that is at the core of our strategy.
This strategy includes six focus areas: CO2 reduction, electromobility, circularity, environmental standards, social standards, and employee engagement in society. There are many promising ideas that will propel us toward sustainability. I am a firm believer that we can all effect change in our lives, and I encourage every team to continue to innovate and drive positive change, as the power of choice lies in your hands.”

The CHOICEISYOURS 2023 competition, spanning from June to November 2023, saw its final presentation on 3 November 2023. This year’s program marks the second collaboration between seven leading organizations in various industries in Thailand: BMW Group Thailand, Central Group and Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Noble Development, and Delta Electronics (Thailand). These organizations focus on sustainability and have been instrumental in the program’s success. By the end of the project, 221 students from 111 teams from 22 institutions across the country had shown interest in submitting project ideas for the circular economy and sustainable development. The six winning teams were given the choice to intern at one of the six organizations that are the partners of the program. The winning projects, noted for their creativity and practical approach, include:

• Winning Team: The Waste Warriors team from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi with a clean market project utilizing a website application. The project aims to encourage the Photharam Market community to separate organic waste and process it into useful community products, including compost. The Waste Warriors team will be joining an internship with Microsoft Thailand.

• First Runner-up: The Camp Loop team from Chulalongkorn University with a project that repurposes recycled vinyl materials for selling, renting, and repairing camping equipment. This idea stemmed from observing numerous leftover vinyl signs after Thailand’s election. The Camp Loop team will intern with BMW Group Thailand.

• Second Runner-up: The Benedict Team from Burapha University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi with a project using a LINE CHAT BOT to address food waste by analyzing the ripeness of fruits, thus determining their shelf-life. This approach helps reduce waste and methane gas emissions that impact global temperatures. The Benedict team will intern with SCG.

• Third Runner-up: The Yep Peng team from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang developed a project to repurpose scrap leather from factories and non-biodegradable plastic straws into bean bag products. This initiative aims to reduce business costs and minimize waste incineration, which is a significant contributor to global warming. Noble Development will welcome Yep Peng team as their interns.

• Fourth Runner-up: The BY by team from Khon Kaen University presented ‘Revlok’, a project that adds value to construction waste by reforming it. The team was inspired by the challenge of disposing of brick rubble around the Faculty of Architecture at Khon Kaen University, aiming to enhance the environment around the institution. The By by team will be joining the Chaipattana Foundation and Central Group to gain on-hands experience through an internship.

• Fifth Runner-up: The COPIC team from Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna introduced the ‘Easy Plant’ project, which involves transforming leftover waste from a workshop room at the Faculty of Architecture into organic plant pots suitable for ground placement. Additionally, the team crafted utensil products from these materials to foster interest in eco-friendly products. The COPIC team will be developing their skills through an internship with Delta Electronics (Thailand).

A representative from the Waste Warriors team, Benjawan Thanaponphotha, a second-year student from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, School of Information Technology, commented on the program: “This project allowed us to engage closely with the community, gaining a deeper understanding of their real challenges. Through our participation, we acquired diverse skills and a clearer perspective on the circular economy. We learned about effective presentation and content organization. Furthermore, this experience has led to new friendships and an opportunity to intern with Microsoft Thailand, aligning with our interests in technology and innovation.”

Natsita Suvannit, a student from Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, part of the Camp Loop team, shared: “The training and workshop activities were immensely educational, altering our approach to problem-solving. We are grateful to BMW Group Thailand for their guidance and support in developing our ideas. Opting for an internship with BMW Group Thailand was a natural choice, given our engineering background and the company’s direct involvement in the automotive industry. We are eager to learn about operational processes in factories and organizations. My advice to prospective program applicants is to apply confidently and seize the opportunity to gain practical experience in business, materials, and equipment.”

Adding to these reflections, Sunita Sathianjarukarn, a second-year student from Faculty of Informatics, Burapha University, a member of the Benedict Team, said: “Our site visits to the partnering organisations’ facilities were eye-opening, revealing the extensive and complex nature of sustainable operations. These experiences enhanced our awareness of various strategies to tackle food waste. The mentorship we received sparked new ideas for our projects. Working as a team, utilizing technology, and fostering creativity were key learning aspects. We chose to intern with SCG, a leading company with a diverse range of businesses, to further our learning.”

The ‘CHOICEISYOURS 2023’ program enabled participants to engage in classroom sessions and hands-on workshops over a three-month period. Organized by the seven partnering organizations, these activities aimed to inspire students to delve deeper into circular economy initiatives. Students had the exclusive opportunity to visit these partner organizations, gaining insights into circular economy practices and resource management strategies aimed at maximizing value while minimizing resource usage.

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