Amazing what they can do with plastic
A toy made of plastic ice-cream sticks and a modular lamp bound with elastic bands were among the winning entries in the third Plastic Product Design with Social and Environmental Responsibility Awards announced recently at Siam Discovery.
Based on the concept “Better is your life”, the competition aimed to promote design development and create added value for plastic products, as well as environmentally friendly products.
Co-organised by Siam Piwat, the Plastic Industry Club and Siam Commercial Bank, the competition had separate categories for entrepreneurs and for students and the general public.
Among homewares in the entrepreneur category, the Icosa Lamp by New Arriva Co was honoured for the way its triangular parts could form various shapes.
Among food packaging and disposable products, Thantawan Industry won with its Sunmum Premium Breast Milk Storage Bag.
For non-food packaging, Srithai Superware’s Knock Down Pallet picked up an award – a plastic pallet with metal reinforcement ideal for warehouses and cold storage. Damaged parts can be detached instead of discarding the whole pallet.
For personal care, medical and healthcare products, Thantawan won again with a Urine Sampling Bag. Among sustainable products, Fiber Pattana’s Eco-Board made of plastic and aluminium foil got the nod.
The Gold Award in the student/ public category went to Treesuwat Hornorasethkul, a fourth-year student at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, for Kidding, a toy made of ice-cream sticks.
Wiratchaya Suwannatrai of Ubon Ratchathani University earned silver for First Step, an adaptable prosthetic leg. Bronze went to Thanes Roongviriyavong of Silpakorn University for Hewen, a floating vegetable plot.
Bhumirin Boonpetch of Khon Kaen University earned an honourable mention with the baby walker Change and Nuntaporn Puttarungsee of Ubon Ratchathani University another for Snakebrush, a toothbrush more easily held by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
“Thailand’s plastics industry is facing fierce competition due to trade liberalisation,” Plastic Industry Club vice chairman Surasak Luangaramsri pointed out.
“Consumers also demand plastic products of a high standard that affect the environment less. So the Plastic Industry Club actively promotes the development of manufacturing effectiveness as well as giving the products added value.
“The first competition for plastic products designed by entrepreneurs was held in 2013, at that time named the Thailand Plastics Awards. Since then it’s been held every two years, and this year was the first in which we joined with Siam Commercial Bank and Siam Piwat.”
