Bangkok – 10 June 2024: SCG Chemicals, or SCGC, a leading integrated chemical business for sustainability, continues its mission to protect and restore marine ecosystems and biodiversity by following ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles that promote low waste and low carbon initiatives. SCGC drives “Innovation for Better Marine,” which includes innovations such as floating litter traps and SCGC Fish Homes. Additionally, SCGC has co-founded the “Nets Up” network, a model that creates added value through circular economy principles for sustainable oceans. This initiative transforms discarded fishing nets into marine materials, providing new alternative materials through recycling innovation.
On the occasion of World Oceans Day 2024, under the theme “Awaken New Depths,” SCGC has donated 25 sets of the “SCGC – DMCR Litter Trap Gen 3” to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. These floating litter traps are to be deployed at the mouths of rivers and canals to prevent waste from reaching the oceans. The donation was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, along with Mr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, at Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, Siam Paragon. SCGC has previously collaborated with DMCR to install over 47 floating litter traps in 17 coastal provinces across the country, successfully trapping more than 86 tons of waste (as of December 2023).
Namthip Samphowprasert, Brand Management and Social Inclusion Director of SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited, or SCGC, said, “The environmental crisis in marine ecosystems, particularly the issue of marine waste, requires concerted and tangible efforts from all sectors. SCGC has been driving its mission to protect the oceans in collaboration with many network partners, including government and private sectors, as well as communities, youth, and employee volunteers. Since 2019, we have leveraged our expertise to design the SCGC – DMCR Litter Trap in collaboration with the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Administration 1 and local fishing groups in Rayong province. The SCGC – DMCR Litter Trap models donated to DMCR on this World Oceans Day are Generation 3 models, designed with enhanced efficiency and new materials, which reduce the trap’s weight by up to 50%. This makes them more convenient and quicker to assemble and install, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions through improved transportation efficiency. Furthermore, SCGC has mobilized a team of employee volunteers to participate in World Oceans Day activities held in Rayong province.”
Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said, “The United Nations established World Oceans Day to raise global awareness and encourage collective efforts to conserve the oceans. In response, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has organized activities under the campaign theme “Awaken New Depths,” emphasizing the connection between humanity and the oceans, as well as our shared responsibility to protect these vital ecosystems for the well-being of current and future generations. He also said that the department would conduct activities in collaboration with organizations and spread knowledge and awareness to the global community through different networks. The newly designed floating litter trap from SCGC represent an innovative solution to tackle marine waste at its source, helping to address the urgent challenges faced by the oceans.
World Oceans Day 2024, organized by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, was held at Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, Siam Paragon. The event saw participation from numerous government agencies, private sector, network partners, educational institutions, and the general public. The goal was to share knowledge and raise awareness among all sectors about the importance of the oceans, as well as to inspire global consciousness and collective efforts in ocean conservation.
Published on: Jun 10, 2024