DTAC is already one of the leading mobile communication service providers in Thailand, but with TES by its side, it is now trailblazing to a new environmental benchmark... zero landfills by 2022.
In 2019, the formal documented collection and recycling of e-waste accounted for only 17.4% of the total e-waste generated.1
It is clear that there is a need to do things differently if we are going to protect the environment from discarded technology, that is now so embedded in our connected modern world.
We are delighted to be continuing to support Dtac in the next stage on their sustainability journey. This solidifies a partnership that has already responsibly handled 1,774,338 mobile phones since 2015, reducing the equivalent of 22,330,043 Kg of carbon emissions, or planting 2,481,116 trees.
Dtac recently used our new facility in Thailand, to launch its nationwide campaign; dubbed “Think Hai D”.
With 5 years of partnership working already behind us, we are in a unique position to support Dtac in achieving their sustainability goals. Here is how the zero waste to landfill process will work for Dtac:
“Think Hai D” e-waste disposal boxes
Consumers want the brands that they adopt to do the right thing for the environment, but this still must slot into the busy lives that we lead. Dtac’s “Think Hai D’s” e-waste disposal boxes are bringing that convenience to consumers, with boxes being positioned at its 51 service centers throughout Thailand.
In addition, by posting a picture of their device as they dispose of it, along with their fondest memories of using it, participants can win free donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts and t-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles.
From “Hai D” to zero landfill
TES collects the mobile phones and electronic devices from Dtac’s service centers, and securely transports them to TES Thailand. From here a device inventory is created, this includes the number of items collected and their weight. The devices are then sorted into mobile phones, batteries, earphones, charging cables and power packs.
Value extraction
With access to TES’ unrivalled facilities, the collected materials can then be dismantled and the precious materials, such as gold, copper, palladium, iron, aluminum, lithium and plastics are extracted for use in new manufacturing processes.
Embracing circularity
Each time a device is collected and fed into our circular processes, Dtac is reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment from hazardous waste arising from poorly treated e-waste. There is a double upside to circular economies, they not only protect the environment, but are also directly and indirectly beneficial to an organization’s bottom line.
The financial gains of the campaign are then used to help local charities; highlighting the value locked in e-waste when managed properly.
Further, a study by Oxford University and Arabesque Asset Management found 88% of companies studied who had robust sustainability practices demonstrate better operational performance, which ultimately translates into cashflow.2
Find out more about Dtacs Sustainability Programme here.
- http://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GEM_2020_def_july1_low.pdf#.
- Clark, Gordon L. and Feiner, Andreas and Viehs, Michael, From the Stockholder to the Stakeholder: How Sustainability Can Drive Financial Outperformance (March 5, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2508281 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2508281
