SDG 12 in numbers
The graph shows Thammasat University’s waste generation (metric tons) from 2018 to 2023, detailing landfill and recycling. Waste decreased from 3,175 metric tons in 2019–2020 to 2,511 in 2021–2022, then rose to 2,817 in 2022–2023. Recycling increased steadily, reaching 1,032 metric tons in 2022–2023, though a large portion still goes to landfill.
The graph shows Thammasat University’s research on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) from 2015 to 2023, starting with 6 publications in 2015 and peaking at 79 in 2023. After steady growth, output surged in recent years, reflecting a heightened focus on responsible consumption research.
Research in SDG 12 (2019 – 2024)
Revolutionizing Responsibility: Thammasat University’s Pioneering Research for Sustainable Consumption and Circular Innovation
Thammasat University scholars have significantly contributed to research aligned with SDG 12, focusing on responsible consumption and production across key clusters: sustainable materials, waste management, green supply chains, and innovative technologies for circular economy practices.
A major research cluster centers on sustainable materials and eco-friendly alternatives in construction and manufacturing. Studies explore recycling industrial by-products, like fly ash and recycled plastic, to reduce environmental impacts and improve waste valorization in concrete production. Research on sustainable composites and recycled aggregates further supports resource efficiency in construction.
Waste management is another prominent area, addressing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste in urban and industrial systems. Research compares waste management practices in Thailand with other countries, evaluates waste-to-energy solutions, and examines technologies like biochar and activated carbon from biomass, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of waste disposal and maximize resource recovery.
Green supply chain management and circular economy practices form the third cluster. Studies explore how supply chain operations can promote sustainable consumption, focusing on green supply chains in the Thai electronics industry, sustainable procurement, and blockchain transparency. These efforts aim to create resilient supply networks that prioritize resource efficiency, waste reduction, and ethical sourcing, supporting SDG 12’s objectives.
The final cluster investigates innovative technologies for waste reduction and environmental sustainability, such as photocatalytic degradation for wastewater treatment, biopolymers for packaging, and bio-electrochemical systems for resource recovery. These technologies demonstrate Thammasat’s commitment to advancing solutions that reduce pollution and promote resource-efficient consumption.
In sum, Thammasat University’s research spans sustainable materials, waste management, supply chain innovation, and environmental technologies, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to advancing responsible consumption and production in line with SDG 12.
Outreach and Academic Services in SDG 12
Thammasat University’s social service projects aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) focus on waste management and the circular economy. These initiatives emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties to foster sustainable change at the societal level.
One key project is the seminar “Criminal Law and Current Environmental Issues: Think, Share, and Solve the Plastic Waste Problem,” organized by the Faculty of Law. This project educates and raises awareness about environmental laws related to plastic waste management, a critical issue impacting both the environment and public health. The seminar encourages discussions on how legal frameworks can address plastic waste, highlighting the importance of law enforcement in promoting sustainable consumption and production.
Another notable project is the Monday Brown Bag 2024 #5 seminar series on “Circular Economy and EPR-Based End-of-Life Vehicle Management in Thailand,” organized by the Faculty of Economics. This seminar introduces the concept of the circular economy, focusing on efficient resource use and waste reduction. It examines the management of end-of-life vehicles through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), promoting policies for sustainable waste management and responsible consumption.
Thammasat University’s projects combine expertise from both scientific and social science fields. The Faculty of Law provides legal insights into plastic waste regulations, while the Faculty of Economics develops policy frameworks for circular economy strategies. This interdisciplinary collaboration creates a comprehensive knowledge base for sustainable impacts at the community level.
Beneficiaries of these projects include students, faculty, and the general public, who gain valuable knowledge on sustainable production and consumption practices, contributing to a more sustainable society.
Featured Stories
Waste Management
Thammasat University implemented a Policy on Solid Waste Management aimed at advancing its commitment to sustainability. This policy encompasses all university stakeholders, including students, staff, store owners, suppliers, and individuals involved in activities that generate waste on campus. The management of hazardous shall comply with the established protocols for collection, tracking, and disposal across the university. The total amount of waste was 2,817 tons. The total amount of waste sent to landfill in 2023 was 1,785 tons. The total recyclable waste was 1,032 tons. The proportion of waste recycled increased to 36.64% in 2023 vs. 35.13% in 2022.
Ethical Procurement of Supplies
Ethical sourcing at Thammasat University extends beyond food procurement to encompass all public procurement activities. According to the Thammasat University Policy on Environmental Management, the procurement must prioritize partnerships with companies that are committed to sustainable environmental practices. This requirement ensures that the vendors chosen to supply goods or services must align with the university’s values of sustainable development.
No Single-Use Plastic
Thammasat University has had a campus-wide policy to reduce single-use plastics and collaborated with several partners to implement the policy. Thammasat University is collectively reducing 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. The Policy on No Single-Use Plastic clearly specifies the type of single-use plastics to be eliminated and identifies all areas within the university and scope of the policy to include the meeting room, cafeteria, coffee shops, restaurants, beverage stands, and flea markets in the university area. The phased-out of single-use plastics will be implemented through a participatory process that involves relevant stakeholders, including students and university employees.
