URC’s Thai subsidiary feted for efforts to cut waste, protect the environment

Filipino-owned Universal Robina Corporation (URC) received three prestigious sustainability awards for its efficient waste management process at its production plants in Thailand.

URC Thailand was given the 3Rs, 3Rs+, and Zero Waste Achievement Awards by Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry, for its efforts to cut yearly wastes and costs at its factories.

These efforts have proven effective at conserving natural resources, landfill space and energy, the company said.

“This recognition confirms that we are on the right path towards meeting our corporate social responsibility to protect the environment by reducing wastes coming from our factories through recycling and other methods that maximize use of raw materials,” said URC Thailand General Manager Tanant Suwanraks.

The 3Rs, 3Rs+, and Zero Waste Achievement Awards recognize companies that use efficient waste management systems that help improve environmental sustainability, and encourage ethical business and social responsibility for consumers.

URC Thailand’s factories 4 to 6 won the Gold Level 3Rs+ Award, while its factories 1 to 3 won the Silver Level 3Rs+ Award for three types of new innovation or creation. This includes economic returns such as Discounted Payback Period (DPB) for less than a year; Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of more than 1,000%; and efficiency waste reduction by practicing and following the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) method and hitting more than 80 percent of the required audit criteria.

To acquire the Zero Waste Achievement Award, URC Thailand’s factories 1 to 6 had to pass the 3Rs practice criteria and win the 3Rs Award. 

These factories were able to reduce their total waste to 1,000.76 tons cutting disposal cost and lost cost of dough by 1,994,659 Thai baht (around P3,074,208). From the waste, the factories generated 762,078.00 kWh electricity and had 267.47 tons CO₂ savings—which are equivalent to sustainable green energies for 94 homes.

URC Thailand was earlier named as among the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” for a work culture that values its employees as key resources.

Established over 20 years ago, URC Thailand manufactures and exports brands in Thailand that are also a staple in the Philippines, including Jack ’n Jill, Fun-O, Tivoli, Roller Coaster, Lausanne, Dewberry, Dynamite and Lush.

It has a factory, research and development center and warehouses at the Samutsakorn Industrial Estate, and a head office in Bangkok.

URC is among the Philippines’ largest food companies and makers of popular brands like Jack ‘n Jill products, C2 and Great Taste coffee. The company was also one of the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses of Vietnam in 2020, a glowing testament to the company’s continued efforts towards sustainable manufacturing and business operations. It was likewise named among the top 10 admired beverage companies in Vietnam, where it has been recognized many times not only for its sound business practices, but also for its efforts to help the nation’s children and workers with disabilities. — Press Release