Thai Union collaborates with Samut Sakhon City Development in a marine litter removal initiative to safeguard the surrounding ecosystem.

On April 24, 2023, a group of dedicated volunteers from Thai Union Group PCL, along with its affiliates i-Tail Corporation PCL., Pakfood PCL., and Okeanos Food Co., Ltd., collaborated with Samut Sakhon City Development (Social Enterprise) Co. Ltd. in a concerted effort to tackle marine pollution. This initiative, part of a broader commitment to ocean health, aligns with the global efforts of the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) and Ocean Conservancy to safeguard marine ecosystems. The cleanup operation, conducted on April 19, 2023, in the Tha Chalom Sub-district, was designed to highlight the critical issue of marine waste and foster a collaborative approach among government bodies, private sector entities, and community organizations towards achieving sustainable environmental outcomes. The event saw the participation of approximately 95 volunteers from a diverse range of stakeholders including Thai Union Group and its subsidiaries, local government and community organizations such as the Samut Sakhon Provincial Administrative Organization, the Provincial Cultural Office of Samut Sakhon, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office 8, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Provincial Office of Samut Sakhon, Wongphanit (Ban Phaeo branch), and numerous village health volunteers. Prad Kerdpairoj, Thai Union's Director of Sustainability for Asia, emphasized the company's dedication to "Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans," underscoring the importance of the oceans to both the company's foundation and the planet's long-term health. He highlighted Thai Union's commitment through its SeaChange® sustainability strategy, which includes initiatives like international coastal cleanups, mangrove restoration, and food waste management to support ocean health. Dr. Suwanchai Sangsuk-lam, President of Samut Sakhon City Development, expressed gratitude towards the volunteers and shared the transformation of the cleanup site from a barren muddy area to a thriving mangrove forest, thanks to the collaborative efforts of various sectors since 2018-2019. He also mentioned ongoing plans to conduct regular cleanup activities and expand these efforts across Samut Sakhon province. The cleanup resulted in the collection of 1,004 kilograms (about 1 ton) of trash, comprising plastic bags, foam, glass bottles, and other debris. The collected waste was sorted, with recyclables managed by Wongphanit Ban Phaeo branch in Samut Sakhon, and non-recyclables handled by local waste management to ensure environmentally safe disposal. Thai Union has announced its participation in additional cleanup activities throughout 2023, including on World Oceans Day on June 8, with a commitment to continue these efforts as part of its partnership with SeaBOS. Since 2021, Thai Union volunteers have collected a total of 3,115 kilograms of trash, contributing significantly to the preservation of marine environments in Thailand, Italy, and Ghana. For further details, please contact Wiriyaporn Posayanonda at 099-154-1254 or Kanyarat Kiatchairin at 064-949-6594 for inquiries in English.