Management Approach

Further information on the Industrial Waste Management Policy can be found at www.nerubber.com by scanning the QR Code.

The company manages waste and by-products in accordance with the legal requirements in Thailand, such as the Factory Act of 1992 and other relevant environmental laws, by utilizing an Environmental Management System (ISO 14001: 2015). Covering 100% of the company's operating area in Buriram Province. This system enables the company to appropriately control the management of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. It also mandates that all employees at every level and contractors working on the company's premises must strictly adhere to the environmental policies and standards. The company undergoes audits, reviews, and performance evaluations related to environmental management by external agencies, such as the Department of Industrial Works and the Buriram Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, to ensure that all operational processes comply with established laws and standards.

The company adopts the principles of a circular economy and the "5Rs" approach, which include Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, and Renewable. This is implemented under the 4Rs strategy—Re-assess, Restrain, Refine, and Replace—to systematically manage waste and reduce the risks of impacts on both the surrounding community and the environment.

Reducing Waste Generation in the Production Process

Management of Plastic Waste from Production Processes

The company resized the rubber cushioning plastic sheets to appropriate dimensions to reduce trimming waste, resulting in a reduction of plastic usage in the production process by 18 grams per piece, or a 12.38% decrease in the original plastic weight. As a result, in 2024, the company successfully reduced plastic waste from packaging by 3.16 tons, which translates to a cost savings of 145,360 THB.

Utilization of Waste and By-products

Management of Rubber Scrap from Production Processes

In 2024, a total of 466.44 tons of rubber scraps were produced, with 100% being reused. This enabled the company to save on the cost of purchasing new raw materials by 26,176,612 THB and generated value from production amounting to 1,413,314 THB.

Digestate from Biogas Production

The company utilized 1,093 tons of sludge from Napier grass as a soil conditioner for planting Napier grass on 961 rais of company land, resulting in the improvement of soil quality, increased moisture retention, and faster growth with better weight. This also allowed the company to reduce costs and save on expenses for purchasing various soil nutrients by an amount of 182,159 THB.

Development of New Products with Consideration for Efficient Resource Utilization

The company is committed to maximizing resource efficiency and has adopted circular economy principles as a foundation for designing and developing new downstream products. This includes producing high-quality products such as flooring mats for livestock stalls or bedding for various economically important animals, made entirely from natural rubber (100%). These products provide superior quality compared to other bedding materials, ensuring that livestock care adheres to animal welfare standards, and they can be fully returned to the manufacturing process as raw materials at the end of their lifecycle. The company continues to focus on ongoing research and development of innovations to create unique products and enhance product quality to meet customer demands while being more environmentally friendly.

Promoting Participation in Waste Management within the Organization

The company emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting knowledge about waste and by-product management among employees. In 2024, the following activities were conducted:

• Conducted educational activities for 200 employees to enhance understanding of proper waste segregation and promote reducing plastic bag usage by carrying reusable bags.
• Organized a quiz with prizes on World Environment Day and World Recycling Day,
• Provided training for all new employees to instill knowledge about the importance of environmental issues and the company's related policies
• Training sessions on the proper management of industrial waste for employees from production, organizational development, marketing and quality control, and sustainability departments

Project 'NER Together to Reduce and Sustainably Separate Plastic Waste'

This project was initiated by the company due to the significant amount of plastic waste generated from employee consumption, accounting for 13.82% of the total waste produced by employees. The company organized awareness campaigns, such as activities for World Environment Day and World Recycling Day in 2024, to promote waste segregation, establish designated recycling bins, and reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. As a result, all employees showed increased interest and concern for the environment, beginning to use reusable bags, meal containers, and personal water bottles. Through these initiatives throughout the year, the company was able to reduce plastic waste from employee consumption by 0.23 tons in 2024, representing a 23.53% decrease compared to 2023.

The main goals and notable outcomes of the initiatives focused on waste management are summarized in the table below.