Greenhouse Gas Reduction in Waste Management by the Institute of Food Research and Product Development under the Low Emission Support Scheme (LESS)

การศึกษาการลดก๊าซเรือนกระจกด้านการจัดการของเสีย ของสถาบันค้นคว้าและพัฒนาผลิตภัณฑ์อาหาร ภายใต้โครงการสนับสนุนกิจกรรมลดก๊าซเรือนกระจก (Low Emission Support Scheme: LESS)

Abstract

          This research aims to study the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions under the LESS project in waste management, specifically focusing on waste separation for recycling and the production of compost or soil conditioners from organic waste. Additionally, the study seeks to establish proper waste separation guidelines to support future government measures on food waste management, which are expected to be enforced as part of environmental regulations. The project was carried out from March to October 2023 by volunteers from five departments under the affiliation of the Institute of Food Research and Development. Waste was categorized into three types: organic waste, recyclable waste, and residual waste. which also known in Thai as orphan waste. Each type of waste was systematically weighed and recorded. Data on organic and recyclable waste were analyzed to quantify the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and submitted for certification, administered by the Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. For residual waste, monthly statistics on residual waste were recorded for Kasetsart University, a partner in the residual waste activities of N15 Technology Company. The evaluation results indicated that the Institute of Food Research and Development successfully reduced greenhouse gases by 10,906.82 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent, accounting for 86% of the total managed waste. The remaining residual waste was transferred to the residual waste project of N15 Technology Company, where it was processed into fuel for electricity generation. This process helped reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, contributing to environmental conservation in the community.