SUSTAINABILITY  /  TECH & INNOVATION

By FedEx | May 14, 2024

For decades, waste management has remained a challenge across Southeast Asia. N15 Technology is tackling the issue head-on in Thailand, offering solutions for a cleaner, more sustainable tomorrow.

Driven by factors such as rapid population growth, urbanization and economic development, Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia share similar challenges in waste management.

As concerns for the environment grow across the region, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to manage waste more responsibly and sustainably. In Thailand, N15 Technology is spearheading efforts to combat waste accumulation and its harmful impact on the planet.

The current situation in Thailand and Southeast Asia

The region's rapid population growth and economic expansion have fueled a surge in waste production. Projections indicate that by 2030, Southeast Asia could generate up to 300 million tons of waste, with plastic waste one-tenth of all waste generated.

In Thailand alone, the past three years have seen an average of 25.7 million tons of municipal waste annually, of which more than a quarter are improperly disposed of.

Improperly managed waste creates various problems for society and our ecosystems. From serving as breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms to contributing to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, the consequences are far-reaching.

Diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid, and HIV can proliferate in areas with inadequate waste management, posing threats to public health. The accumulation of plastic waste increases environmental degradation, further exacerbating the global waste crisis.

On a mission to drive environmental sustainability

N15 Technology is a Bangkok-based waste management service provider founded in 2014 to tackle the poor management of non-hazardous waste. The company focuses on innovative technologies to convert discarded materials into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), with a goal to recycle up to 500,000 tons of waste annually.

By recycling waste into energy fuel for cement kilns and power plants, the company helps mitigate some of the environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal. By providing alternative methods to manage waste, they help lessen the burden on landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.

"Orphan Waste" is one of the programs N15 launched to collect waste from the public, government, and private sectors for recycling. As part of the program, N15 also offers education through talks and videos on environmental issues caused by waste, and proper waste management solutions to address these problems.

How businesses large and small can address waste management

Responsibility for waste management extends beyond governments and individuals. Businesses contribute significantly to waste generation. Recognizing this, businesses can adopt practices to manage and reduce waste responsibly.

This includes proper waste segregation, recycling initiatives, and adherence to environmental standards. By integrating environmental considerations into their operations, businesses can reduce their environmental impact as well as foster a culture of sustainability in their local communities.

Partnerships for positive impact

N15 Technology takes a collaborative approach to global waste issues. By teaming up with organizations like FedEx, N15 Technology is able to amplify its impact, reaching broader segments of society for greater environmental and societal benefits.

At FedEx, our approach to sustainability focuses on three key areas: Reduce, Replace, and Revolutionize, which are closely aligned with N15's goals. We collaborated with N15’s Orphan Waste program by recycling over 3,500 kg of waste such as plastic wraps, label stickers, and paper cores from our operations into refuse derived fuels (RDF) for cement kilns.

Innovative solutions for industrial waste management

When it comes to industrial waste management, there are several ways businesses can minimize their environmental footprint. Beyond meeting the minimum compliance with regulations, companies can implement waste separation practices and explore avenues for waste repurposing.

For instance, the non-recyclable waste N15 processes into RDF can be used as a sustainable alternative to coal. Similarly, food waste can be converted into fertilizers, closing the loop on waste disposal and contributing to the circular economy.

Collaboration is key to success in the quest for sustainable waste management. Companies like N15 are paving the way for a more sustainable future through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. If businesses, governments, and individuals unite in the fight against waste, the path towards a cleaner, greener planet will become easier to tread.