The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the Thai economy like never before, widening income and wealth gaps that were already among the highest on the planet. The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are also becoming more severe, whether in the unhealthy levels of PM 2.5, the hazardous accumulation of microplastics inside fish, or the worst drought in four decades. Given the dire circumstances, circular economy solutions on every possible vantage point are now ever more important in Bangkok and beyond.
Within the pilot project of Scale360°, Bangkok Hub selects, customizes and delivers interventions supporting circular economy solutions tailored to the local needs in Bangkok, following the unique design thinking methodology offered by the program.
Among 26 interventions described in the Scale360° Playbook, Bangkok Hub has decided to conduct 4 intervention types: Circular Economy and Innovation Training (#3), Policy Working Group (#19), Network Formation (#22), and Circular Economy Consumer Campaign (#26). The Hub is channeling the interventions into 3 sub-projects ("interventions"): City Hack, Clean Air Bill, and Single Use Plastic (SUP)-Free.
Through Scale360°, the Bangkok Hub aims to popularize circular economy and encourage policy makers and general public alike to think differently. While the pilot stage starts with building a network of partners, the ensuing phases will focus on bringing real-life solutions to life. Our long-terms goal is to show and to materialize the true potential of the circular economy, setting an example to other Hubs and inspiring action. As the Scale360° initiative is a long-term project, we have yet to reap the fruits of our efforts!
Despite being only at a pilot stage, the Bangkok Hub has been able to work closely with remarkable partners in driving the Scale360° initiative in Bangkok, which include:
- City Hack: Royal Thai Government, UNDP Thailand, UN-Habitat Thailand;
- Clean Air Bill: Thailand Clean Air Network, Circular Design Lab, PALO IT Thailand, Pimclick and Clazy Cafe';
- SUP-Free: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), and Phuket City Municipality