Panasonic Energy (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (PECTH) and CP All Public Company Limited (CP All) join hands to promote a circular economy approach through Battery Collection for recycle through 7-Eleven stores. This partnership marks the first and most significant milestone for both the battery manufacturer and the retailer in launching a battery collection and recycling initiative in Thailand, aiming at raising consumers' environmental awareness, encouraging their involvement in used battery reduction and mitigating environmental impact in the long term.

Mr. Takuya Tanimoto, Managing Director of Panasonic Energy (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said that PECTH, the leading manufacturer and distributor of dry batteries in Thailand, started in-house production in 1961. PECTH is the only manufacturing base in Thailand for dry cell batteries, and Panasonic’s Battey brand has the largest market share in the country. Throughout the years of operation, PECTH has remained committed to delivering high-quality products as part of the company's mission to achieve a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized. In May 2022, PECTH accomplished a significant milestone by achieving carbon neutrality and becoming the first Panasonic company in the Panasonic Asia Pacific Group to realize a carbon-neutral factory.

Building on its success, PECTH has been joining hands with CP All to advance efforts in promoting environmentally conscious operations. Since 2020, PECTH and CP All have worked together to launch a new type of paper-based battery packaging that can reduce plastic materials. This initiative successfully reduced unnecessary raw materials and alleviated concerns related to waste and carbon emissions. The project successfully saved 13.5 tons of plastic usage within three years.

With an ongoing commitment to environmental preservation, PECTH, and CP All have recognized the growing issue of used batteries. In Thailand, these used batteries are typically dumped or disposed of in landfills. These practices, however, are becoming increasingly problematic while the landfill space is limited. Therefore, PECTH and CP All have joined forces to launch the Battery Collection for recycle project which aims to return used batteries from end-users without disposal batteries. This initiative aligns with the circular economy model, promoting recycle, reuse and sustainability through properly collecting and recycling used batteries. A pilot project was initiated in June 2022 to collect used batteries at 31 of 7-Eleven stores within universities in Bangkok and the surrounding areas and in Chiangmai Province.

Now PECTH and CP All are ready on the stage not just to collect the used batteries, but to recycle these used batteries.  The used batteries will be sorted and processed properly in the recycling system. Then these components will be sent to a steel manufacturing company for further recycling. To accelerate reduce, reuse, and recycle used batteries, they plan to expand the battery collection points other than universities.  PECTH and CP All plan to install used battery collection spot in 50 stores within 2023 bringing more touch points for raising consumers’ environmental awareness.

Ms. Apinya  Banyatthasanai, Assistant Vice President, CP All Public Company Limited, Management of 7-Eleven and 7 Delivery said that CP ALL is fully committed to community and society development as well as environmental sustainability. The company operates businesses under the "7 GO Green: 24-Hour Stores for the Environment" principle, which consists of environmental approaches: 1. Green Store & Building, 2. Green Packaging, 3. Green Logistics, and 4. Green Living.  At the heart of the policy lies the emphasis on fostering cooperation among stakeholders, including customers, communities, and society at large. The Battery Collection for recycle project is initiated under the 7 GO Green principle and is a joint collaboration between CP All and Panasonic Energy (Thailand). As business partners for over 24 years, both corporations share a common vision of sustainably reducing environmental impacts by embracing the Circular Economy concept to minimize the harm of used batteries on the environment.

Initially, the pilot project was launched in 2022 by installing collection boxes for used batteries at 31 leading universities in Bangkok and its vicinity and Chaingmai. These include Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Kasetsart University – Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kasetsart University – Bang Khen Campus, Thammasat University – Rangsit Campus, Srinakharinwirot University – Ongkharak Campus, Mahidol University – Salaya Campus, Phranakhon Rajabhat University, Ramkhamhaeng University, Silpakorn University, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and many others, and in Chiangmai province. 

CP All and Panasonic believe this initiative will raise consumer awareness of environmental responsibility, encourage them to take part in waste reduction, and inspire people to incorporate the Circular Economy Principle into their daily lives for sustainable use of natural resources, in line with the corporations' motto of “Creating and Sharing Opportunities With Each Other”