BITEC reaffirms its commitment to sustainability through the “BITEC Sustainable Library” project by repurposing over 51 tons of paper waste from conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows at BITEC. This initiative transforms the paper into desks, chairs, and bookshelves, creating a “Sustainable Library” for Wat Bang Kachao Klang School (Seelathirattrangsarit) in Samut Prakan province. The project aims to provide a learning space for young students while promoting the principles of Circular Economy and ESG towards a sustainable future, with plans to expand to other schools in the future.
Ms. Jarupa Yindeemoh, General Manager of Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), stated that the BITEC Sustainable Library is more than just a book collection. It serves as a starting point for environmental and sustainability education, creating a long-term beneficial learning space for children. The initiative supports education by offering students access to academic knowledge and sustainability concepts, encouraging reading and learning development while fostering awareness of sustainability and responsible citizenship.
The library is designed with eco-friendliness in mind, featuring furniture made from recycled materials. Over 51 tons of paper waste from BITEC events have been repurposed into desks, chairs, and bookshelves, significantly reducing resource consumption and carbon footprint. Currently, students at Wat Bang Kachao Klang School are directly benefiting from the library, and in the future, the project is expected to serve as a model for expanding sustainable learning spaces to other schools and communities.
This initiative aligns with BITEC’s ESG strategy, which focuses on Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) aspects. The environmental efforts include using recycled materials from events to minimize unnecessary resource consumption and implementing Circular Economy principles. On the social front, the project provides youth with access to sustainability-focused learning resources. From a governance perspective, BITEC ensures that its operations consider long-term environmental and social impacts while aligning with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
“The BITEC Sustainable Library is not just an eco-friendly project aligned with sustainable business practices, but it also marks the beginning of learning, change, and inspiration for future generations. Through collaboration with partners and communities, we strive to make sustainability tangible and extend beyond a single library to a network of growing sustainable learning spaces. Moving forward, BITEC expects more students to benefit as the project expands to schools in remote communities,” Ms. Jarupa added.
BITEC has consistently collaborated with clients and partners to uphold the principles of hosting sustainable events at energy-efficient and environmentally friendly venues. As a result, BITEC has successfully recycled 51,170 kilograms of paper, reducing tree cutting by 870 trees, lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 34,796 kilograms, saving 1,330,420 liters of water, reducing fuel consumption by 71,638 liters, and decreasing energy use by 204,680 kilowatts.
Mrs. Siriporn Supapab, Director of Wat Bang Kachao Klang School (Seelathirattrangsarit), stated, “This new library is an immensely beneficial learning resource, particularly in encouraging students to engage in self-study and develop a love for reading. It aligns with the school’s policy under the Samut Prakan Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, which promotes reading and writing skills among students, in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s initiatives.”
The library is a collaborative effort between BITEC and SCGP to upcycle paper waste into desks, chairs, and bookshelves. This milestone highlights BITEC’s commitment to building a sustainable future alongside communities. From one library, the project is set to drive real and lasting change. Furthermore, we have received cooperation from About Food Company Limited, a company within the Bhiraj Buri Group, a food service provider in BITEC, who supported in preparing meals for children during lunchtime. For more information on BITEC’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.bitec.co.th/visitor/sustainability
