Problem Statement:

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.

Target Group:

The youth populace (including Shapers) and organizations - both SME and large companies - operating in the circular economy sector.

Proposed Solution:

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.

Hub Activities:

Bangkok Hub decided to channel the Scale360° initiative through 3 interventions: (1) City Hack: a collaboration with the public sector to inspire young generations to design with circularity in mind, (2) Clean Air Act: action-oriented, citizen-driven campaign to collect 10,000 signatures towards cleaner air in Thailand, and (3) SUP-Free: an ecosystem mapping experiment to test the demand and supply of circular solution in Thailand. In mobilizing Scale360°, Bangkok Hub is directly supported by the GSC, the WEF and several leading experts in Circular Economy in Southeast Asia. The Bangkok Hub has also been involved in several pivotal milestones of the pilot, including the branding workshop of Scale360°.       

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results:

To date, the Bangkok Hub has organized 6 workshops, which involve our partners GIZ, Thailand Environmental Institute, Circular Design Lab, Palo IT, Thailand Clean Air Network. The Hub has also co-hosted three webinars, including a fireside chat with the World Economic Forum and Gobi Partners and a Davos Lab Dialogue session with GS Lahore Hub and Nagpur Hub. Outputs: 1. Circular Economy Guide and Inspirational Talk (expected delivery Jul, but dependent on COVID), 2. Circular Economy Catalogue (expected delivery end-June), 3. Clean Air social media campaign (WIP)

Additionally, Bangkok Hub is also exploring the possibility of designing benches out of recycled plastic collected during clean ups, launching plastic reduction campaigns, and organizing informal community events to promote the concept of circular economy.

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!

Available Metrics:

Link to Scale360°-tailored Impact Tracker here

Collaborators:

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

Others:

Link to Miro Board here

Link to Notion Page here