Faculty of Business Administration, Sripatum University, in collaboration with Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, organized a workshop on “Food Waste Management” under the project “Building Networks between Faculty and Institute” for Village Health Volunteers (VHV) of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality at the Pom Phet School Meeting Room, Hor Rattanachai Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on Friday, April 21, 2023.
On this occasion, Pol. Col. Suwat Sanpakosonkul, Deputy Mayor of Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality, honored to preside over the opening ceremony of the project and welcomed the Village Health Volunteers (VHV) of Pratuchai Subdistrict, along with Asst. Prof. Dr. Sirindhorn Sinjindawong, Director of the Center for Support and Development of Teaching and Learning, lecturers from the Faculty of Business Administration, SPU, and a team of experts from the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, saying, “We are honored and delighted that the Faculty of Business Administration, Sripatum University, has come to organize a workshop today, reflecting the cooperation between the university, government agencies, and the community to jointly drive society to be strong.”
This activity is a result of the U2T for BCG project that the Faculty of Business Administration is responsible for in the area of Pratu Chai Subdistrict, namely the Multicultural Tourism Route Project, Pratu Chai Subdistrict and the Food Waste System Project, Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant. Although both projects have been closed according to the project implementation timeframe, in order to expand the results further, Dr. Natthaya Triphala, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Faculty of Business Administration, Sripatum University, has planned with Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality and the National Science and Technology Development Agency to jointly organize activities to drive society according to the BCG approach that aims to respond to the SDGs and is the origin of the Food Waste Management Workshop.
Dr. Natthaya Triphala added that the project activities are an extension of the “Food Waste System of Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant” project, which originally used river prawn shell waste from Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant to create added value by making “bio-fermented water from river prawn shells” to “bio-fermented water from lemon peels”. We would like to thank Phi Kai, the owner of Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant, who brought information about making bio-fermented water from river prawn shells to further develop to reduce food waste at Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant. Phi Kai used bio-fermented water from lemon peels to clean the bathroom, sanitary wares, and toilets. We must say that bio-fermented water from lemon peels effectively eliminates odors in the bathroom. Now, Baan Mai Rim Nam Restaurant does not have to buy toilet cleaner, which reduces food waste and reduces management costs.
Today’s activities included training and activities on waste separation, including the use of food waste to create added value according to the Upcycle concept by Dr. Natthaya Triphala. In addition, knowledge was provided to the village health volunteers on waste management methods by Dr. Kanokorn Amprae, a researcher and quality manager of the Soil, Fertilizer and Plant Analysis Laboratory, Creative Agricultural Innovation Center. In this regard, Dr. Rachana Tangkulboriboon, Director of the Creative Agricultural Innovation Center, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, brought a case study on waste management in Thailand to share with the participants, who were interested and had constructive discussions and exchanges of opinions.
In addition, Mr. Anurak Somsai, Academic Operations Officer, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, brought samples of Upcycle products from waste to show to the participants, which received a lot of attention. The morning session ended with a waste separation activity led by the student committee team of the Faculty of Business Administration, which can be said to create excitement for the participants to review their theoretical knowledge in a fun way.
The day ended with a study tour on “Making Bio-fermented Water from Lemon Peels” at Baan Mai Rim Nam. This time, we had Nui, the shop’s employee who was responsible for the fermented water, provide detailed knowledge, while Dr. Rachana Tangkulboriboon and Dr. Kanokorn Amprai provided additional academic information at intervals. It can be said that the participants were able to take the knowledge they gained back and apply it to their household’s food waste.
“Garbage” is a problem that many people may see as “a problem that the government must manage”. In fact, it is a problem that has been around for a long time. This problem will not easily disappear from society. Creating awareness and correct consciousness about garbage management must be done continuously… The Faculty of Business Administration, Sripatum University, along with a network of partners from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality and the National Science and Technology Development Agency, to create a beautiful and livable community… because collective power is an important force in driving the development of the country towards sustainable development.
