No Single-Use Plastic Policy

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Enacted in 2019 and reviewed in 2024, Thammasat University has a campus-wide policy to reduce single-use plastics and collaborated with several partners to implement the policies. Guidelines, facilities, and policies have been implemented actively.
  • Item no. 2 states the commitment of no single-use plastic. Item no. 3 clearly specifys the type of single-use plastics to be eliminated. Item no. 4 to no. 6 identify all areas within the university and scope of the policy.

Thammasat has campus-wide policy to reduce single-use plastics and collaborated with several partners to implement the policies. Guidelines, facilities, and policies have been implemented actively since 2019. The policy was reviewed and updated in 2024.

In this reviewed version of the policy, item no. 2 states the commitment of no single-use plastic.

Policy on No Single-Use Plastic states clearly in item no. 2 that “All faculties and departments of Thammasat University shall collectively reduce the use of all types of single-use plastics by ceasing the use of easily replaceable single-use plastics within one year, with a complete phase-out within three years”.

12.-Policy-on-No-Single-Use-Plastic

Item no. 3 clearly specifys the type of single-use plastics to be eliminated.
The types of single-use plastics to be reduced and eliminated in university activities including (1) plastic shopping bags, (2) plastic drinking cups, (3) plastic straws, (4) plastic spoons and forks, (5) plastic drinking bottles, and (6) other single-use plastic waste including plastic containers, plastic wrapping, and food bags.”

Item no. 4 to no. 6 identify all areas within the university and scope of the policy.

In meetings, plastic water bottles, straws, and plastic cups with straws will no longer be used. Instead, water pitchers, reusable cups, or refillable bottles will be provided. Additionally, snacks in plastic containers or served with plastic utensils will be phased out.

In cafeterias, coffee shops, and other beverage outlets managed by the University or affiliated departments, the use of disposable plastic cups, straws, and plastic shopping bags will be discontinued. The phase-out will follow these guidelines:

(1) Beverages served in cafeterias or shops, whether hot or cold, shall be provided in reusable cups.

(2) For customers purchasing drinks to go, if they do not bring their own cups, biodegradable cups or loaner cups shall be provided.

“All flea markets within the University, whether in common areas or departmental spaces, shall implement measures to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics. Environmentally friendly packaging, such as materials derived from natural sources, banana leaves, or biodegradable alternatives, will be used.”

The phase-out of single-use plastics will be implemented through a participatory process that involves relevant stakeholders, including students and university employees

Reference:
No Single-Use Plastic Policy (2019)
Policy on Solid Waste Management (2024)
Thammasat Zero Waste Handbook


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