Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations

[webfact]

 

To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city.

 

Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a staggering 456,894 plastic bottles.

 

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, the brains behind this green revolution, revealed that the refill stations, set up in partnership with the Environmental Justice Foundation, aim to provide a convenient alternative to plastic bottles for the public.

“Every time a bottle is refilled at these stations, one less single-use plastic bottle is used.”

Currently, these free drinking water refill stations are strategically located at various hotspots across the city, including Benjakitti Park, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, CentralWorld, Seacon Square, Fortune Town, Thanaburi Ramya Park, Wachirabenchathat Park, Na Phra Lan Tunnel, and Tha Maharaj shopping centre, reported The Nation.

 

With plans to extend the project’s footprint to public health service centres, district offices, and more public parks, Governor Chadchart has called upon the private sector and philanthropic organisations to join forces in this noble cause.

“If everybody collaborates, we will be able to achieve the installation target in the blink of an eye.”

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

 

Central Pattana, alongside influential partners, spearheads the Bottle Free Seas campaign, urging Bangkokians to swap bottles for reusable options.

 

With a staggering 70 million plastic bottles drowning Bangkok monthly, the initiative aims to flood the city with free water dispensers, starting with the iconic Central World shopping mall.

 

The campaign, a collaborative effort between Central Pattana, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Environmental Justice Foundation, and Brilliant Power Co Ltd, was inaugurated by none other than BMA governor Chadchart Sittipunt himself. In a symbolic gesture, Sittipunt championed the cause by refilling his thermos at the newly installed dispenser in front of Central World.

 

With plans to sprinkle nine more water dispensers across Bangkok, the BMA and private partners are tackling the ocean of plastic pollution generated by the city’s insatiable thirst for bottled water. An alarming 70 million plastic bottles are discarded monthly, prompting the launch of the Bottle Free Seas programme. The partners are determined to ride the wave towards a sustainable ecosystem, aligning with Thailand’s ambitious net-zero goal by 2050, reported The Nation.

 

Uthaiwan Anuchitanukul, Assistant Managing Director of Central Pattana, expressed the company’s commitment to nipping single-use plastic in the bud.

 

“Central Pattana wants to make a splash in reducing plastic waste, and that’s why we’ve enthusiastically joined the campaign, installing a water dispenser right at the heart of Central World. Tourists and locals alike are encouraged to ride the green wave by refilling their bottles at our dispenser.”

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-19

 

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[rexpotter]

Hahaha, they will be fine for a month then the filters will get dirty and never be cleaned or changed. Water coming out of those things is worse than tap water. I once had the opportunity to watch a guy change one at a small shop in Chiang Mai. It looked like a ten year old diesel truck oil filter.

[JoePai]

The problem with this idea is the maintenance which, let’s face it, Thais are not renown for

[rexpotter]

Just now, JoePai said:

The problem with this idea is the maintenance which, let’s face it, Thais are not renown for

And if is decent water every working staff in the area plus their uncle will be filling their bottles, and even the street vendors will get free water from them for their customers. Forget ti.

[edwinchester]

We've got one in our village with a long hose so people can easily fill a big tank whilst it's still on the motorcycle. We stopped using it after seeing people give the local dogs a drink from the hose.

[tomazbodner]

Should ask Coway to handle this for them as focus should be on maintenance, not installation.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

The problem with this idea is the maintenance which, let’s face it, Thais are not renown for

Luckily a a water dispensing machine is located very close to my home, a one minute walk... the Thai owner comes every morning to clean, check and service the machine... 2 baht per 6-litres.

And the water I use only for boiling/cooking

[Tarteso]

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I use only for boiling/cooking

I would like to know how If it is water suitable for consumption, that it is sufficiently treated, clean and drinkable. I was drinking those waters for months until stomach problems started. Since then I only consume the best brands (ie. Purra).

 

 

[Lee65]

6 hours ago, rexpotter said:

And if is decent water every working staff in the area plus their uncle will be filling their bottles, and even the street vendors will get free water from them for their customers. Forget ti.

 

Exactly. Must charge for this service or it will fail.

 

Another foolish government initiative ...

 

 

[bkk6060]

No way.  I bet most of those machines are full of bacteria, disease bugs and rats. Bad idea.

[rexpotter]

43 minutes ago, Lee65 said:

 Must charge for this service or it will fail.

Sad but true

[rexpotter]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Luckily a a water dispensing machine is located very close to my home, a one minute walk... the Thai owner comes every morning to clean, check and service the machine... 2 baht per 6-litres.

And the water I use only for boiling/cooking

Are you serious? Come on.

[Peterphuket]

Yes, that will matter a lot on the whole, if you see this movie regarding less plastic use in Thailand, it is still less than a drop in the ocean, unbelievable what is brought into this country and can go on because of the gigantic corruption.

 

[rexpotter]

9 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Yes, that will matter a lot on the whole, if you see this movie regarding less plastic use in Thailand, it is still less than a drop in the ocean, unbelievable what is brought into this country and can go on because of the gigantic corruption.

 

too many humans

[Peterphuket]

3 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

too many humans

This is now being addressed; birth numbers have been declining for years.

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Currently, these free drinking water refill stations are strategically located

 

Well I never:

 

Edited April 19 by Burma Bill
additional information

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, rexpotter said:

Are you serious? Come on.

Yes.

[Andycoops]

I remember a report from years ago in Pattaya when they did a inspection of these dispensers and almost all fell below the minimum standards for bacteria because they were never maintained.

Despite the fact you paid to refill.

[john donson]

in lat krabang, they removed all of them... were kinda attracting beggars ...