Bangkok – Suntory Group of companies in Thailand led by Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited, a manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, and Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Company Limited, a manufacturer and distributor of BRAND’S Essence of Chicken, BRAND’S Bird’s Nest and BRAND’S Plant-Based Extract, teamed up as “Suntory” to launch “One Suntory Save the Sea” to reaffirm Suntory Group’s promise “Mizu To Ikiru” (Living with Water) and turn it into practice to live in harmony with water in a sustainable manner. Volunteers of the two companies joined forces to collect marine waste and garbage on Mae Ramphueng Beach (Kon Ao) in Rayong in collaboration with local partners in the public sector, including the Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization, Muang Rayong District Office, Baan Phe Municipality Office and the Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park as well as local volunteers and people with volunteer spirit, totaling more than 200 people. Moreover, trash traps to prevent garbage leaking to the sea and set of sorting bins were provided to create awareness of waste segregation and dispose of wastes in the right place in order to keep the beach clean and restore the natural beauty of Mae Ramphueng Beach

Mr. Ashish Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited, said the “One Suntory Save the Sea” beach cleanup activity is initiated through collaboration and collective commitment of Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) and Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) to grow business with social and environment caring responsibility in line with the Suntory Group’s vision “Growing for Good” for sustainable growth. That is behind the launch of the first beach cleanup activity. We also provided 20 sets of trash traps to Rayong Province to prevent garbage leaking to the sea, for water conservation. In addition, five sets of waste separation bins and beach cleanup equipment were provided to the Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park in order to raise public awareness about proper waste segregation to keep the beach and the environment clean. It is considered to be a part of taking care of the environment in a sustainable manner.”     

Mr. Mattias Wallin, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Indochina at Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Company Limited, said the launch of “One Suntory Save the Sea” does not only help keep the beach clean but also features knowledge-based activities for people to collectively learn more about 3Rs, comprising Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, the correct practices in waste segregation as well as how to manage post-consumer packaging of the two companies. Most of them are glass bottles, clear and colorless PET bottles and aluminum cans. They are 100% recyclable. If people have better understanding and correct knowledge on waste management, they can adjust their behaviors, which can result in reduction of number of wastes leaked into the environment. I really hope that all volunteers and participants will apply knowledge and experience derived from the “One Suntory Save the Sea” project for waste management at their households as every “adjustment” can bring about “change” in positive way. More importantly, the collaboration to carry out the beach cleanup activity reflects the unity of Suntory Group of companies in jointly doing good deeds for society. It is also a reflection of Suntory Group’s corporate value “Giving Back to Society”.

“Marine waste is one of the global environmental problems as Thailand is among the world’s top marine polluters with a large amount of marine garbage recorded. Most of ocean waste is land-based that leaked into the marine environment, polluting water resources and harming coastal and marine ecosystems. Marine waste has also directly and indirectly negative impacts on marine habitats and humans. I would like to emphasize that environmental conservation and revitalization are not a responsibility of a particular person or an agency, but it is the duty of everyone. Honestly, I would like to thank the two subsidiaries of Suntory Group for presenting opportunities for all stakeholders in the public and private sectors to participate in the marine environmental conservation project in order to restore the pristine beauty of Mae Ramphueng Beach,” said Mr. Chanu Dechthanyanon, Head of the Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, as the representative of state agencies.