Plastic Reduction Program in KMUTT

Goals: No BIG 4 single use plastics usage (Plastic Bags / Plastic bottles / Plastic Straws / Plastic spoon and fork) within KMUTT by 2023
Targets: 100% ban on single use plastics usage  in KMUTT by 2025 compare to 2017 baseline
Current Status: In 2024, reduction 61% in single use plastics usage in KMUTT compare to 2017 baseline.

Since 2015, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) has committed to reducing single-use plastics, setting a bold goal to eliminate the “BIG 4” — plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, and plastic utensils — across campus by 2020. This ambitious initiative promotes a culture of sustainability and environmental consciousness, creating a positive impact on both campus life and the environment.

To kickstart the journey towards a plastic-free campus, KMUTT launched its first campaign in 2015, encouraging students and staff to bring their own reusable mugs. This campaign laid the groundwork for lasting change by building awareness and fostering environmentally friendly habits. By 2018, KMUTT had expanded its efforts through engaging student-led projects, such as the popular “Say No to Single-Use Plastic” campaign, which perfectly aligned with the university’s plastic reduction goals.

Building on the success of reusable mugs, KMUTT promoted the use of personal food containers, offering a 5-baht discount at all campus food outlets, coffee shops, and convenience stores for each use of a personal container or mug. This incentive encourages the community to adopt sustainable habits, reducing plastic waste while saving on meal costs.

KMUTT also introduced a campaign to reduce plastic bags, particularly targeting new students. Freshmen are encouraged to use fabric or reusable bags, with the KMUTT Student Council actively promoting this initiative to inspire all students to contribute towards a plastic-free campus.

Through these concerted efforts, KMUTT has not only moved closer to its goal but has also fostered a strong culture of environmental responsibility, setting an inspiring example for universities nationwide.

1. KMUTT say no to Single-Use Plastic Project

The “KMUTT Says No to Single-Use Plastic” project is a powerful student-led initiative launched by the KMUTT Green Heart Student Club to promote sustainability across campus. Kicking off in August 2018, this project introduced the KMUTTOneLess Campaign, with a focus on reducing reliance on the “BIG 4” single-use plastics — plastic bags, bottles, straws, and utensils (spoons and forks).

The KMUTTOneLess Campaign inspires every member of the university community to take responsibility by eliminating at least one type of single-use plastic from their daily routines. This commitment, supported by students, faculty, and staff, has created a campus-wide movement towards reducing plastic waste. By empowering individuals to make small but impactful changes, KMUTT is paving the way for a more sustainable, environmentally friendly university environment.

2. Fabric bag and reuse bag Campaign

In 2019, KMUTT launch  the new campaign to reduce plastic bag by promote all freshman to use fabric bag and reuse bag. All freshmen students get their own fabric bag from University at the beginning of the year. Also, there are more than 20 “Please Reuse Me “corners within campus where provide fabric bags for borrowing . Furthermore, KMUTT communicate all student and staff to join this campaign by using E communication via Facebook, Line, Instagram and video clip to promote KMUTT’s fabric bag usage which provide for all in a reasonable price in KMUTT bookstore . All convenient stores such as 7-ELEVEN, Amazon and D’ORO coffee shop, bookstores , canteen and food courts within KMUTT have joined the campaign .Moreover, KMUTT Student council promote this campaign to all students in KMUTT which make KMUTT can reach our goal to plastic usage reduction by 2020. According to our activities above , the result in 2019 shows 60% reduction of plastics usage in KMUTT compare to 2017 baseline.

3. Personal Food container and Personal mug usage

In 2018, KMUTT promote Personal Food Container usage for all in KMUTT which align to Personal mug usage which initiate since 2015. For these campaigns, canteen, food court, coffee shops and convenient store join the activities by 5 baths discount per each of personal food container usage and personal mug usage. To promote Personal mug usage and reduce plastic water bottle usage, KMUTT provide more than 20 drinking water corners within KMUTT which all in KMUTT can use Personal mug and reuse plastic water bottle for refill .For drinking water quality, we have monthly check and test according to standard of drinking water by using Central laboratory services and KMUTT Food Safety Center, Faculty of Sciences. In addition, a person who bring their own bottle for filling their beverage could upsize from small to large volume for free!