🌏 EMIC Joins Forces to Advance “Voluntary PRO,” Laying the Foundation for Thailand’s EPR System

📅 On 11 November 2026, the Environmental Management Industry Club (EMIC), under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), participated in the event “FROM COMMITMENT TO ACTION: Closing the Loop for a Circular Thailand,” held as part of Sustainability Expo 2026 (SX2026) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The event was organized by the Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for the Environment (TIPMSE), under FTI, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department (PCD), to announce a collaborative initiative and advance the “Voluntary PRO” (Voluntary Producer Responsibility Organization) mechanism. The initiative aims to pilot post-consumer packaging management systems and develop a practical model that can serve as a foundation for Thailand’s future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.

🤝 The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, the Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, as well as stakeholders from across the industrial sector. Participants included manufacturers and brand owners, distributors, local authorities, waste collectors, and recycling facilities, all joining forces to strengthen collaboration throughout the packaging value chain.

♻️ Voluntary PRO: A Collaborative Mechanism for Integrated Packaging Management

The Voluntary PRO mechanism will serve as a central platform to facilitate collaboration among manufacturers, brand owners, packaging producers, distributors, waste collectors, recycling facilities, government agencies, and local authorities.

It aims to provide opportunities for stakeholders to learn, pilot, and develop packaging management approaches suited to Thailand’s context. The initiative goes beyond collection and recycling to encompass sorting, material recovery, recycling, as well as the development of data systems and effective management mechanisms to ensure continuous and sustainable implementation.

📌 Key Targets of the Voluntary PRO Initiative

The project is scheduled to run for 24 months, from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028, with the following key objectives:

▪️ Develop a National PRO Model as a prototype for a nationwide packaging management system.

▪️ Conduct pilot operations in five designated areas (Sandboxes).

▪️ Cover eight types of packaging to test and develop management approaches suited to different material types and local contexts.

🌱 EMIC’s Role in Advancing Environmental Management and Circular Economy

On this occasion, Mr.Phitsanu Jarupattanasirikul, Senior Vice Chairman of the Environmental Management Industry Club, participated in the event and delivered a statement of commitment, expressing the Club’s readiness to support this collaborative initiative. He emphasized the important role of waste management operators in translating circular economy principles into practical action.

He stated:

“The Environmental Management Industry Club (EMIC), under the Federation of Thai Industries, comprises operators specializing in the proper and standardized disposal, treatment, and recycling of waste. We are committed to taking shared responsibility for the environment, transforming waste into valuable resources, and joining forces with all stakeholders to drive the circular economy toward a cleaner and more sustainable Thailand.”

🌍 Building a Sustainable Future Through Collective Action

EMIC recognizes that the successful implementation of Thailand’s EPR system requires strong collaboration across all sectors, particularly waste management operators and recycling facilities, which play a vital role in returning post-consumer materials to the production cycle.

The launch of the Voluntary PRO initiative therefore represents an important step toward preparing Thailand for the transition to an EPR system. It will help strengthen management systems, establish collaborative frameworks, and enhance the capabilities of the industrial sector, paving the way for more efficient resource management and a sustainable circular economy in the long term.

#FTI #EMIC #VoluntaryPRO #EPRThailand #CircularEconomy