Thammasat University Notification of Policy on No Single-Use Plastic

In order to establish guidelines for phasing out single-use plastics to address the excessive waste problem in Thailand and to utilize resources responsibly in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, Thammasat University, with the approval of the University Administration Committee, hereby issues this regulation aimed at eliminating the use of single-use plastics across all educational centers of Thammasat University as follows:

1. Definition

• “University” refers to Thammasat University.
• “Students” refers to individuals enrolled at Thammasat University.
• “University employees” refers to the employees of Thammasat University, including staff funded by revenue and temporary workers who are not permanent employees of government agencies.
• “Educational centers” refers to all four educational centers of Thammasat University, which are Rangsit Center, Tha Phra Chan Center, Lampang Center, and Pattaya Center.
• “Single-use plastics” refers to plastic products designed to be used once and then discarded.
• “Environmentally friendly packaging” refers to packaging materials and designs that have a minimal negative impact on the environment. This can include biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable materials, as well as packaging that reduces waste or uses sustainable resources.

2. All faculties and departments across all educational centers 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 1 year, with a complete phase-out within 3 years.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

Issued on October 18, 2024

(Professor Supasawad Chardchawarn)

Rector of Thammasat University