Seven prominent organizations propel the “CHOICEISYOURS” circular economy initiative into its third year, welcoming Bangchak Corporation as new partner for this year’s intensified competition

BMW Group Thailand, the Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Central Group, Noble Development
and Bangchak Corporation jointly held a press conference to launch the third year of CHOICEISYOURS. The initiative invites students from institutions nationwide to present their creative ideas on the circular economy, fostering skills for future generations to advance sustainable development.

In the photo (from left)

1. Khun Krisda Utamote, Director Corporate Communications, BMW Group Thailand
2. Khun Bhakamol Rattaseri, Member and Deputy Treasurer of the Chaipattana Foundation
3. Khun Vasupon Thankakan, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft (Thailand)
4. Khun Meatha Prapawagol, Corporate Human Resources Director, SCG
5. Khun Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Policy Office and Image, Central Group Company Limited
6. Khun Sira Udol, Chief Operating Officer – Residential Real Estate, Noble Development PLC
7. Khun Gloyta Nathalang, Acting Senior Executive Vice President, Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited

Bangkok. BMW Group Thailand, in collaboration with the Chaipattana Foundation, SCG, Microsoft Thailand, Central Group, and Noble Development, welcomes Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited as a new partner for the groundbreaking third year of the “CHOICEISYOURS” project. This initiative provides exceptional opportunities for Thai university students nationwide to compete with innovative ideas focused on the circular economy and sustainable development. In addition to welcoming Bangchak Corporation, this year’s CHOICEISYOURS project features a revamped format and updated contest rules, designed to enhance program intensity and encourage students to drive tangible sustainability initiatives across multiple sectors. The project also fosters young talent through training courses, hands-on workshops, and exclusive internship opportunities with leading organizations in Thailand and abroad.

CHOICEISYOURS 2024 offers Thai students the opportunity to showcase their creative ideas for a circular economy. Following the application announcement, contestants will present their sustainability solutions tailored to each partner organisation. In July 2024, 60 teams (two-person teams totalling 120 individuals) will be selected to participate in training activities and field trips led by experts. Subsequently, the semi-final round in September 2024 will narrow the competition to 18 teams, followed by the final round in November 2024. The team with the highest score in each subject will have the opportunity to join an internship programme with leading organisations in Thailand.

The CHOICEISYOURS project seeks to strengthen partnerships by collaborating with Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, another organisation actively promoting sustainability projects for the environment, communities, and society in Thailand. One of the main objectives of this year’s project is to promote circular economy knowledge and ‘Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ principles to Thai students and the general public. Additionally, the project provides an opportunity for students to exchange knowledge and develop their potential based on the circular economy projects of each organisation, which are:

1. BMW Group Thailand: The challenge is to manage paper box waste from suppliers. Each part is packed in differently sized paper boxes, which, if not handled properly, could generate a large amount of paper box waste each month. Contestants need to devise a solution to manage 1,000 kilograms of paper box waste using circular economy concepts, with the goal of creating value for the waste exceeding 10 baht per kilogram.
2. The Chaipattana Foundation and Central Group: The two leading organisations are focused on creating environmentally friendly product packaging. They are challenging participants to apply ‘Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ concepts to create new packaging designs for food or plant containers, and other packaging types. The goal is to add value, modernise products, and make them more appealing on display at the Good Goods store in Central World. Additionally, participants will design signage for plant, vegetable, and fruit products that clearly communicates their environmental and waste reduction commitments.
3. SCG: “Organization of Possibilities” provides a space for university students nationwide to showcase their capabilities by presenting creative and environmentally sound ideas. The challenge is to utilise recycled or waste materials as substitutes for natural resources in the production of construction products or packaging. This aligns with the circular economy concept, which emphasises the efficient use of resources and adding value to waste materials. SCG believes that fresh ideas from the younger generation are crucial for driving progress towards a low-carbon society, in line with its ‘Passion for Inclusive Green Growth’ principles.
4. Microsoft (Thailand): Environmental issues are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Microsoft recognises the need for students to harness the power of generative AI, an advanced technology that utilises deep learning to analyse existing data and generate new outputs for human users. Contestants will leverage generative AI to develop solutions that reduce natural resource consumption and manage waste effectively, aiming for faster, easier, and more productive positive impacts. The utilisation of AI technology could also help raise awareness and promote wider understanding of the circular economy concept.
5. Noble Development: Construction in the real estate industry can generate significant construction waste, impacting the environment. Noble therefore challenges participants to present innovative solutions for managing construction waste from its Ari and Sukhumvit projects. These solutions should benefit the local community, whether in terms of living standards, health, or income generation. Additionally, the aim is to develop an environmentally and socially sustainable waste management plan for the organisation.
6. Bangchak Corporation: The company, operating with a vision of a sustainable world driven by green innovation, presents a challenge to enhance communities through grassroots economics. Participants are tasked with developing strategies to collect used cooking oil from households and communities for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This aligns with Bangchak’s “Don’t Dump Used Oil” campaign, which advocates for collecting used cooking oil to produce SAF, promoting the bioeconomy, circular economy, and BCG Economy, and encouraging participation from all sectors of society.

The “CHOICEISYOURS” circular economy and sustainable development competition aims to raise awareness of environmental and climate change issues through the perspective of Thai students, representing the next generation. The project fosters collaboration between young participants, local communities, and organisations in Thailand to drive the sustainable use of natural resources and promote environmentally sound practices for the future. The project represents a commitment from the seven leading partner organisations in Thailand to enable positive change for a greener future and sustainable development in the country.

Interested university students can find details and apply for the project at https://www.bmw.co.th/en/discover/choice-is-yours.html. Applicants must submit a video introducing their team and presenting their project concept, along with a brief experimental plan, between 6 June and 12 July 2024. Participants can follow updates and information about the competition on the Facebook fanpage or by scanning the QR Code to view the competition details.

In the photo (from left)

1. Khun Krisda Utamote, Director Corporate Communications, BMW Group Thailand
2. Khun Bhakamol Rattaseri, Member and Deputy Treasurer of the Chaipattana Foundation
3. Khun Vasupon Thankakan, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft (Thailand)
4. Khun Meatha Prapawagol, Corporate Human Resources Director, SCG
5. Khun Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Policy Office and Image, Central Group Company Limited
6. Khun Sira Udol, Chief Operating Officer – Residential Real Estate, Noble Development PLC
7. Khun Gloyta Nathalang, Acting Senior Executive Vice President, Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited