In today’s business landscape, sustainability is not just a priority, it’s a responsibility. As part of Sonepar Group’s global commitment to environmental stewardship, Sonepar Thailand proudly hosted Sustainability Week 2024, a series of activities aimed at promoting awareness and action among our associates. This initiative reflects our shared purpose of creating a sustainable customer journey and embedding environmental responsibility into everything we do.
Global Participation, Local Action
Sustainability Week was launched globally across all Sonepar companies, and in Thailand, we were proud to align with the same mission. Our journey started with a communication campaign through LINE Open Chat, the primary platform for engaging our associates. Given that over 85% of Thais use LINE daily, this decision helped us reach a wide audience quickly and efficiently, without the need for paper, reducing waste. We saw engagement grow from 140 active participants to 164, out of a total of 250 associates, demonstrating a strong interest in the cause.
Kick-Off on 30 September 2024: A Day of Learning, Fun, and Commitment
The official kick-off for Sonepar Thailand's Sustainability Week 2024 took place on 30 September 2024 at warehouse meeting room, which was chosen to minimize transportation costs and the associated carbon emissions. By holding the event on-site, we saved an estimated 500 kg of CO2, underlining our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. Also, we had a theme clothe dress for green.
The day began with an inspiring keynote by K.Surote Panasahatham, Country Managing Director, who reiterated Sonepar's dedication to sustainability:
“Sustainability is no longer just a choice, it’s our duty as a business to lead the way in protecting the planet. At Sonepar, we aim to create a lasting impact, not just in our industry but for future generations”
Following his speech, K.Kiattirat Jeeratheepatanont, Supply Chain Manager and Sustainability Ambassador, discussed the 10 sustainability commitments that Sonepar Thailand is striving to meet. He highlighted how every individual action can make a significant difference.
“As Sustainability Ambassador, my role is not just about meeting targets, but about inspiring every associate to contribute. Together, we can turn small actions into big results.”
The session continued with a presentation from K.Kongkarn Paseepol, Marketing Division Manager, who emphasized Thailand’s unique environmental challenges and shared practical sustainability tips, including how to reduce plastic waste and conserve energy.
After the formal talks, the fun began! To encourage participation, we held several mini-games such as a sustainability quiz, a photo hunt and etc on energy-saving tips. Winners were awarded eco-friendly prizes, including reusable cups and Sonepar jackets, designed to remind our associates of our collective environmental responsibility. The Sonepar jacket became a symbol of achievement for the participants.
To further promote sustainability, we organized a plastic-free party. Instead of providing disposable cups and plates, we encouraged everyone to bring their own reusable containers. This simple action helped us save over 500 single-use plastic items during the event. We also invited food trucks that adhered to our plastic-free policy, serving delicious meals in environmentally friendly packaging.
“By encouraging everyone to bring their own cup, we avoided using hundreds of single-use plastics—an easy step that had a big impact,” said K. Kiattirat Jeeratheepatanont, adding, “Sustainability is about changing our habits, and this was a perfect example.”
1-3 October 2024: Engaging Associates in Daily Challenges
The activities didn’t stop after the kick-off. From 1-3 October 2024, we hosted a series of sustainability-themed challenges through our LINE Open Chat, engaging associates in meaningful, eco-friendly tasks. Each day, participants were tasked with showcasing ways to reduce plastic waste, energy consumption, or their carbon footprint.
- 1 October 2024 – Reduce Plastic Challenge: Associates were asked to share photos of how they avoided single-use plastic in their daily lives. Simple actions like using reusable shopping bags, refusing plastic straws, or bringing their own containers to buy takeout were among the ideas shared. A lot of photos were submitted, reflecting growing awareness around this issue.
- 2 October 2024 – Energy Conservation Challenge: Participants shared tips and tricks on how to save energy, both at work and at home. Turning off unused devices, switching to energy-efficient lighting, and using natural ventilation were some of the most popular suggestions. We recorded that the office’s energy usage dropped by 12% during this day, as everyone made a conscious effort to conserve.
- 3 October 2024 – Carbon Footprint Challenge: Associates were encouraged to calculate their daily carbon footprints and share ways they reduced emissions, whether by carpooling, biking to work, or minimizing air conditioner use. Some participants reported cutting their carbon emissions by as much as 25% for the day by carpooling with colleagues.
At the end of each challenge day, winners were selected by a committee of HR and Marketing team members, with the prize being a Sonepar jacket and the chance to participate in our CSR day on 4 October. These daily activities helped reinforce sustainable habits among our associates and sparked valuable conversations around environmental impact.
CSR Day at Khlong Khon Rainforest
On 4 October 2024, we concluded Sustainability Week with a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event at the Khlong Khon Rainforest in Samut Songkhram. Associates traveled together by bus, minimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions by traveling in a single vehicle.
During the CSR activity, participants planted mangrove trees vital action as mangroves absorb four times more carbon than tropical forests. Additionally, we learned about the importance of these ecosystems in combating climate change. The day concluded with team-building activities such as a water ski session and feeding wild macaques, fostering a spirit of community and environmental awareness.
A Greener Future Together
Sonepar Thailand’s Sustainability Week was not just a series of activities—it was a demonstration of our commitment to leading by example in sustainability. From the plastic-free food trucks to eco-conscious event planning, every decision was made with the environment in mind. Our goal is to continue empowering our associates and partners to contribute to a more sustainable future, reducing our environmental impact step by step.
“We are laying the foundation today for a more sustainable tomorrow. Together, with the dedication of our associates and partners, Sonepar Thailand is making real strides toward a greener future”
— K. Surote Panasahatham, Country Managing Director, Sonepar Thailand
Together, we’re not just building a stronger company but also a healthier planet.
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