Indorama Ventures and SEAMEO SEPS celebrate the achievements of the Waste Hero education program to promote circular economy

Bangkok, Thailand, August 22, 2024 --

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical producer, in collaboration with SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS) and Yunus Thailand, proudly announces the achievements of the Waste Hero education program at the ‘2024 Waste Hero Excellence Announcement’ event held at the Indorama Ventures Head Office in Bangkok. The collaboration promotes sustainable waste management education across Southeast Asia, fostering environmental stewardship among educators, students, and communities.

The Waste Hero education co-campaign was launched in 2023 to promote the Waste Hero education resources to schools and teachers in Southeast Asia, focusing on Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The program has engaged over 1,700 educators through various initiatives, including ten Waste Hero Master Teacher Training sessions, the Southeast Asian Waste Hero Awards, and three impactful webinars.

Demonstrating substantial impact, the social return on investment (SROI) in Indonesia and the Philippines revealed that every dollar spent generated nearly five times its value. This underscores the project's positive influence on communities. Additionally, the Waste Hero School Competition, hosted to promote best practices in creating a circular economy and managing waste, saw 53 schools from across Southeast Asia and beyond participating. Five of these schools were awarded for their outstanding achievements in integrating Waste Hero education materials into their curricula, school activities, and policies. These schools also demonstrated significant waste reduction, income generation through recycling, and community engagement.

The five winning schools include Bhutan's Dorokha Lower Secondary School, Indonesia's SDN Hegarmanah Jatinangor Sumedang, Malaysia's La Salle Sentul Secondary School, the Philippines' San Luis National High School, and Thailand's Ban Kammeknongnangfha School.

Mrs. Suchitra Lohia, Deputy Group CEO and Chairperson of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee at Indorama Ventures, said, "We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of the Waste Hero program alongside our esteemed partner, SEAMEO SEPS, and would like to extend our congratulations to the schools for their exceptional efforts. At Indorama Ventures, we are dedicated to advancing the circular economy by promoting educational resources and fostering school engagement. This collaboration empowers the next generation to manage waste responsibly and protect our planet."

Ms. Duriya Amatavivat, the Director of SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustain-ability (SEAMEO SEPS), said, "SEAMEO SEPS plays a crucial role in raising awareness about Waste Hero educational materials among educators and students. We train educators to implement these materials in their classrooms and organize competitions to share ideas and best practices. We are proud of the positive changes achieved by participating schools and look forward to continuing our support for Indorama Ventures in promoting waste management and the circular economy through future initiatives.”

These achievements would not have been possible without the program’s key strategic partners, including Thailand’s Ministry of Education and Waste Hero’s co-creator Yunus Thailand, whose unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in driving the program forward.

Dr. Phichet Phophakdee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Thailand, expressed his congratulations and appreciation for the program's success. "It is a great honor to witness the remarkable achievements of the Waste Hero Education Program. This initiative has empowered students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage waste effectively and sustainably, instilling in them a sense of responsibility towards their environment and fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the classroom. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for Thailand and generations to come."

Callum Mackenzie, Managing Director, Yunus Thailand, stated, “Waste Hero is not just about building zero waste knowledge; it is about instilling values within young people as global citizens responsible for the planet and society within which we live. It is about giving young people the confidence that they have the power to make small but meaningful, incremental changes which when added together can make a global difference. And it is about providing tangible knowledge and skills for young people to take zero waste action in school, at home and in their communities. Simply put, it is about creating Waste Heroes.”

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