The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) collaborated with 15 partner organizations to launch the “Reduce Leftovers, Reduce Waste: Stop Food Waste SDG 12.3” campaign at Siam Paragon. They outlined a plan setting 2025 as the target year for concrete actions to cut food waste, emphasizing a public–private partnership model focused on transforming consumer behavior at the source.
On January 6, 2026, Ms. Preeayaporn Sukkasem, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), who presided over the opening ceremony, stated that food waste represents a critical structural challenge for Thailand, with direct consequences for the environment and climate change. In 2026, the ministry designated the year as the beginning of the second phase of concrete nationwide efforts to reduce food waste across the country.
“Addressing food waste is not the responsibility of a single party; rather, it requires establishing safeguards for sustainable production and consumption patterns aligned with SDG 12.3. This initiative will accelerate concrete action through collaboration among a network of 15 partner organizations, guiding Thailand’s transition toward a society of responsible consumption and reducing losses across the entire supply chain, from upstream to downstream,” Ms. Preeayaporn emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bannarak Sermthong, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), noted that, as the primary agency responsible for policy development, ONEP is focusing on establishing model food-waste management practices in the service sector, particularly in shopping malls and restaurants. These locations are considered strategic points because of their strong interaction with consumers.
“ONEP stresses that distributing symbolic stickers to participating restaurants is not simply a form of identification—it serves as a collective declaration of commitment to encourage moderate and responsible consumption among the public. We aim to expand beyond pilot organizations to a broader range of agencies and business sectors to drive lasting behavioral change toward sustainability,” he explained.
Dr. Nongnuch Poolsawat, Director of the Technology and Informatics Institute for Sustainability (TIIS) at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center within the National Science and Technology Development Agency, endorsed the initiative. She emphasized that effective food waste management depends on reliable data and innovative strategies, which are essential for making waste-reduction efforts both efficient and measurable.
MTEC-NSTDA, through TIIS, is prepared to support the initiative by providing expertise and technology via the LookieWaste app, which enables operators to systematically record and track food-waste data. Accurate data collection will create a clearer picture of waste generation, allowing for targeted analysis and more efficient, cost-effective resource management. This data-driven approach forms a critical foundation for sustainable development,” she explained.
Ms. Naratip Rattanapradit, Chief Operating Officer of Siam Piwat and a representative of a pilot practitioner organization within the partner network, stated that shopping malls under the Siam Piwat Group are prepared to serve as platforms for ongoing campaigns and concrete action. The initiative will commence with implementation at Siam Paragon as the first pilot site.
“We recognize that shopping malls play a crucial role as intermediaries between restaurants and consumers. Encouraging food outlets within our centers to minimize food waste while raising customer awareness is a central element of our long-standing sustainability mission. We are prepared to scale up the ‘Reduce Leftovers, Reduce Waste’ model to three additional malls within our network, establishing a new benchmark for the service sector and creating consumption experiences that are more environmentally responsible,” she stated.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment urges everyone to join the movement for change. Begin with “consume in moderation” to help drive Thailand towards a sustainable future together.
