Sustainability Projects
Waste And Hazardous Waste Management 2024
Waste Reduction & Resource Optimization Initiative
EGCO Group has implemented an efficient used lubricant management project by separating used oil from maintenance and system activities, as well as determining the utilization guidelines according to the waste potential as follows:
- Reuse oil: EGCO Group has implemented a reuse oil guideline for used lubricants that still have suitable properties. It sends such oil to an external company with expertise to use in activities that do not require high quality, such as formwork oil and chain oil. The operation is subject to preliminary quality control and consideration of safety in use, including a selection of business partners with appropriate environmental management systems to ensure that used oil is reused efficiently without causing any impact on the environment.
- Recycling used oil for energy recovery: Oil that cannot be safely reused will be sent to a company licensed to manage industrial waste from the Department of Industrial Works to undergo the Energy Recovery process, such as using it as fuel in industrial furnaces. The operation is subject to control and monitoring in accordance with the law on industrial waste control and management.
This action is part of an approach to reducing waste and promoting resource optimization under the Circular Economy principle. It involves selecting companies that are capable of complying with all relevant laws.
Benefits of the Project
- Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by reducing activity in landfill areas.
- Minimizing environmental impact from resource extraction by decreasing virgin crude oil needs.
- Preventing environmental contamination by diverting used oil from leaching disposal methods.
Implementation Approach
- Recycling used oil for energy recovery
Research and Development for Waste Minimization and Value Creation
EGCO Group prioritizes investment in innovation and Research & Development (R&D) to minimize waste generation.
This approach is integral to creating economic value through cost optimization and the development of new revenue streams, while proactively addressing environmental imperatives.
A key initiative demonstrating this commitment is the collaborative research undertaken by BLCP Power Plant (BLCP) in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University.
- Comprehensive market research to evaluate the commercial potential of power plant by-products, specifically fly ash and bottom ash.
- A focused market research and product design project dedicated to exploring applications for bottom ash by-products.
- Development of innovative temperature-reducing bricks utilizing bottom ash.
Significant advancements have been made in the temperature-reducing bricks project, evidenced by the filing of patents for the novel brick design. Ongoing evaluations are currently underway to assess their performance in wall construction applications.
Benefits of the Project
- Contributing to environmental sustainability by finding beneficial uses for waste materials.
- Reducing waste generated from operation.
- Generating new revenue streams through the commercialization of innovative by-products.
Implementation Approach
- Investing in research and development initiatives focused on minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization.
- Collaborating with academic institutions to conduct comprehensive market research and develop innovative, sustainable solutions for power plant by-products.
Compost Fertilizer from Organic Waste
EGCO Group emphasizes comprehensive and efficient waste management, with recycling being a key method to reduce waste sent to landfills.
Khanom Power Plant (KEGCO) and BLCP Power Plant (BLCP) initiated a project to produce compost from various organic waste materials, such as leaves and grass. This compost not only serves as a substitute for chemical fertilizers but also helps reduce the amount of organic waste disposed.
The project started at Khanom Power Plant in 2021, and compost production has steadily increased each year. In 2024, BLCP Power Plant expanded the project to the surrounding community, receiving a certificate of recognition from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization for its support of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Activities (LESS) program. This initiative has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 143.347 tCO2e, reflecting the success of the project in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Benefits of the Project
- Minimizing organic waste sent to landfills while reducing waste disposal costs.
- Decreasing methane emissions, a greenhouse gas generated by landfilling.
- Using the produced compost as a substitute for chemical fertilizers, leading to cost savings.
Implementation Approach
- Initiating a project to produce compost from organic waste generated within the power plants and surrounding communities.
Actions & Training to Reduce Waste Generation
Waste management is one of the critical environmental issues globally and in Thailand, due to the increasing volume of waste every year.
EGCO Group recognizes the importance of prevention at the source by reducing waste generation. The company launched the “EGCO Ecosystem” sustainable waste management project in 2020 at its headquarters and expanded it to 13 power plants in 2024.
The project includes four key steps: defining waste categories for separation, providing labelled bins and clear plastic bags to improve sorting efficiency, waste reduction training provided to employees and housekeeping staff on waste separation and reuse, and regularly monitoring progress through an online platform every month. In 2024, Khanom Power Plant (KEGCO) also ran a campaign to eliminate single-use plastic cups and promote the reduction of plastic and foam usage within the plant.
Benefits of the Project
- Enhancing employee’s knowledge of waste sorting categories.
- Increasing amount of recycled waste by 58.80% from EGCO headquarters.
- Increasing amount of recycled waste by 76.75% from 13 power plants.
Implementation Approach
- Educating employees on waste sorting through onsite and online training, as well as communication via email.
- Providing labelled bins for each waste category, ensuring proper disposal.
