Reducing the Use of Foam Containers
The use of foam containers was once a significant issue at University of Phayao. In 2018, the university generated an average of 4,600 pieces of foam container waste per day, primarily from food packaging used in campus activities. To address this, relevant university agencies launched a comprehensive foam-ban campaign, collaborating with local businesses to promote biodegradable packaging in cafeterias. This led to an official university announcement prohibiting foam containers in all activities.Policy for reducing the use of foam boxes: http://www.lp.up.ac.th/FileUpload/Doc/2566/D1/d719.pdf
The university's Center of Environment and Sustainable Management also conducted a study comparing the degradation of biodegradable containers versus foam containers, using the findings to support awareness campaigns encouraging staff and students to stop using foam containers.
Study on degradation between biodegradable boxes and Styrofoam boxes
As a result of these activities, University of Phayao successfully reduced foam container waste by 100%, effectively eliminating all foam waste on campus.Reduce Single-Use Plastics Program
Target: 70% reduction in single-use plastics by 2030 compared to the 2018 baseline.Results: In 2025, single-use plastics were reduced by 39.60% compared to the 2018 baseline. In 2026 (January–May), single-use plastics decreased by 47.37% compared to the 2018 baseline.
Single-Use Plastic Rate from 2018–2026 (kg/capita-year)
The "University of Phayao Says No to Single-Use Plastic" project is a student engagement initiative launched by university executives since August 2018. It began with a memorandum of understanding with a campus mini-supermarket regarding the reduction of single-use plastics, forged under the collaboration of the Sustainable Universities Network of Thailand, and has since expanded to other campus-based trade outlets — some 75 individual outlets. The memorandum requires outlets to:- Offer plastic bags only upon the purchase of takeaway hot food.
- Discount the sale of any beverage by 2 THB for purchasers who bring their own container.
- Provide plastic cutlery only upon request, and withdraw the provision of plastic straws.
- Discount the sale of any food item by 3 THB for purchasers who bring their own container, and withdraw the provision of foam containers.
Volunteer activity: painting cloth bags to reduce plastic bag usage
University of Phayao, in collaboration with the Sustainable Universities Network of Thailand, invited 75 entrepreneurs to sign a memorandum of understanding to reduce plastic waste. The agreement covers:- Cancelling the granting of free plastic bags to staff and students except for hot foodstuffs, while supporting cloth-bag loaning activities.
- Reducing plastic glass and straw waste at beverage shops, offering a 2 THB discount to customers who bring their own glass, and no longer providing plastic straws.
- Reducing the use of plastic spoons and forks at canteens and convenience stores, providing them only upon request.
- Cancelling foam containers at convenience stores and canteens, with a 3 THB discount for customers who bring their own food carriers.
Program to Reduce the Use of Plastic on Campus
Goal: No BIG 4 (plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, plastic spoons and forks) single-use plastics within University of Phayao by 2030.Targets: 70% reduction of single-use plastics usage by 2027, and 100% reduction by 2030, both compared to a 2015 baseline.
Results: In 2026, a 46% reduction in single-use plastics usage was achieved compared to the 2015 baseline.
University of Phayao launched a plastic reduction project in 2015, setting a goal to reduce the use of single-use plastics — including plastic bags, bottles, straws, spoons, and forks — by 2020. This initiative focused on educating and encouraging students and staff to minimize plastic bottle usage and instead use personal drinking glasses.
In 2018, the university expanded its efforts by initiating student engagement programs, including the "Say No to Single-Use Plastic" campaign, and promoted the use of personal food containers alongside personal drinking glasses. All cafeterias, food courts, coffee shops, and convenience stores on campus participated, offering a 5 THB discount for each use of a personal drinking glass or food container. The university also introduced a plastic bag reduction program encouraging all new students to use reusable cloth or fabric bags. Through these activities, the university estimates that waste can be reduced by up to 80%.
Show for decrease of say no to Single-Use Plastic — Plastic bags 48%, Cups 47%, Straws 53%, Spoons & forks 62%
ECO LIFE
University of Phayao is promoting 75 shops within the university to join the ECOLIFE campaign through the ECOLIFE application — a platform that helps participants take care of the world through a network of green shops, products, and services across the country (ECOMAP), reducing plastic use wisely and sustainably, with ECOPOINTs available to redeem.In 2026, University of Phayao participated in an award ceremony honoring the outstanding performance of higher education institutions, and was considered for the award "The University with the Sustainability Behavior and Recycling Waste Separation", based on data recorded with the ECOLIFE Platform under the project "ECOLIFE in Towards Carbon Neutrality."
ECO LIFE campaign and the ECOLIFE application
University of Phayao Please Reuse Me
This project invites students and personnel to share and use cloth bags, which can be conveniently picked up at designated points. If a cloth bag is not used, it can be brought back or donated as an unused bag at the service point — helping to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.
University of Phayao Please Reuse Me — cloth bag sharing points