Bangkok. Seven leading Thai organizations; BMW Group Thailand, the Chaipattana Foundation, SCG, Microsoft Thailand, Central Group, Noble Development, and Bangchak Corporation joined forces to select and announce the six winning teams of CHOICEISYOURS 2024. This competition fosters innovation among young minds, focusing on the circular economy principles of Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. In its third year, student participants tackled real-world challenges presented by each organization, developing practical and measurable projects for a more sustainable future. The six winning teams will now embark on internships with the partner organizations to further develop their winning projects.
The 6 winning projects of CHOICEISYOURS 2024 are as follows:
- Among the winning projects of CHOICEISYOURS 2024 is “Pets in Peace” by Team Midnight Muffin, comprised of Miss Panatchakorn Tirachuli, second year student from the Faculty of Engineering (International) at Chulalongkorn University, and Miss Aroonrat Pornpakakul, second year student from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy (International) at Chulalongkorn University. Partnered with BMW Group Thailand, the team developed an innovative solution for pet cremation using repurposed cardboard boxes from BMW Parts Distribution Centre. This eco-friendly alternative to traditional wooden caskets offers a more affordable and sustainable option while also reducing waste.
- Team The Rily Goods, composed of Miss Nichapat Suntornlimsiri and Miss Nirada Yuttithamwong, fourth year students, from the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, secured a win with Central Group and the Chaipattana Foundation. Their project takes surplus plastic from Central Group and banana peels from the Chaipattana Foundation and connects them with partner businesses for upcycling. These partners transform the waste materials into usable resources like 3D printing filament and banana peel leather. The Rily Goods team then utilizes these recycled materials to create eco-friendly products such as bags and keychains, closing the loop and promoting a circular economy.
- Team Mix-up, consisting of Mr. Teetouch Tiradechsakul and Mr. Peradol Williamho, second year students from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy (International) at Chulalongkorn University partnered with Microsoft Thailand to develop an AI-powered application “Mix-up” designed to offer a way to navigate fast fashion more sustainably. Their winning project uses intelligent technology to help users create outfits from their existing wardrobe. By tracking, mixing, and matching clothes already owned, the app encourages mindful consumption, reduces the urge to overspend on trendy items, and ultimately contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fashion industry.
- Team Guess Who?, consisting of Mr. Teetouch Tiradechsakul and Mr. Peradol Williamho, second year students from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy (International) at Chulalongkorn University partnered with Microsoft Thailand to develop an AI-powered application “Mix-up” designed to offer a way to navigate fast fashion more sustainably. Their winning project uses intelligent technology to help users create outfits from their existing wardrobe. By tracking, mixing, and matching clothes already owned, the app encourages mindful consumption, reduces the urge to overspend on trendy items, and ultimately contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with the fashion industry.
- Team Green Champ, made up of Miss Chanakan Norakit and Mr. Puri Lertkasemkul, third year students from the School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, partnered with Noble Development to create “Echo-Nest,” an innovative sound-absorbing panel. Embracing the principles of Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, the team utilizes discarded wood chips combined with mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus. This mixture is then fermented and molded to create the sound-absorbing panels. The project not only provides a sustainable building material but also offers a solution for Noble Development’s waste management challenges.
- Team “Nam Man Nee Pee Kor” (Can I have this oil?), by Miss Pornpitcha Pavaputanon and
Mr. Chuwong Kengchuwong, fourth year students from the Bachelor of Business Administration Program in Finance, Kasetsart University, were the winners of Bangchak’s competition. Their innovative concept, Rethink, proposed a partnership with rider service platforms to assist consumers in delivering used cooking oil to Bangchak’s service stations. The collected oil would then be processed to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
The CHOICEISYOURS 2024 program, held from June to November 2024, saw a total of over 400 applicants from 16 universities nationwide. In the qualification round, the program provided a valuable learning experience for 120 student participants forming 60 teams. They received both theoretical and practical training from the seven partner organizations and industry experts, focusing on developing real-world applicable projects that demonstrate creativity and a strong understanding of circular economy principles. Out of 60 competing teams, 18 teams (36 participants) were selected for the final round, culminating in six winning teams who will now embark on internships with the partner organizations to further refine and implement their innovative solutions.
Additional photos
Khun Krisda Utamote, Director Corporate Communications
Khun Bhakamol Rattaseri, Member and Deputy Treasurer (far left) and Khun Somkamol Chirathivat, Senior Director of Central Group (far right)
