World Vision Thailand has launched the “Pilot Project for Waste Management and Carbon Footprint Tracking in Kaeng Krachan” in Pa Deng Sub-district, Phetchaburi Province. Embracing the “Zero Waste – Zero Landfill” concept, the initiative addresses air pollution from open-air waste burning while celebrating the successful deployment of smoke-reducing biomass incinerators across seven villages and schools. This strategic operation transitions toward a digital platform for carbon footprint tracking, aiming to enhance the well-being of children and youth in the heart of Kaeng Krachan National Park by empowering families to become climate-resilient.
Responding to community concerns regarding the health impacts of smoke on students, Ms. Wilaiwan Jokniw, Project Manager for Phetchaburi-Ratchaburi at World Vision Thailand, highlighted the deployment of five patented, smoke-reducing biomass incinerators. Certified by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and patented by Mr. Kosol Saengthong in collaboration with the Pa Deng Community Research Center, these units transform waste disposal into an eco-friendly process.
“Our vision transcends mere waste disposal; we are protecting the very air these children breathe,” stated Ms. Wilaiwan. “By supporting seven strategic incineration points, we tackle the root cause of pollution in National Park zone. To ensure long-term sustainability, we are also mobilising behavioral change through awareness campaigns in schools and the wider community.”
The Strategic Challenge: Waste Management within Protected Zones
Managing waste in Pa Deng presents unique challenges due to its location within Kaeng Krachan National Park. Under the National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019), landfills and open-air burning are strictly prohibited to prevent pollution and forest fires. Despite these constraints, data collected from October 2024 to July 2025 reveals an average waste volume of 2 tons per day (approximately 60 tons per month) come out from the community, a figure that continues to rise.
To address this, Ms. Thanyathip Chatisawat, Climate Change Coordinator at World Vision Thailand, emphasised a collaborative approach:
“To align with the local context, we prioritise multi-stakeholder participation—from children and families to government agencies—to reduce waste at the source. This streamlines the complexity of end-of-life disposal, supported by our partnership with Jak Reward Technology (Khaya).“
A Multi-Level Transformation
During a community forum in late February, 2026, stakeholders shared transformative outcomes:
Household Level: Increased awareness in waste segregation, separating recyclables (glass, plastic) for sale and organic waste for biogas or composting, thereby minimizing combustible refuse.
Educational Institutions: Schools have become “Model Zones” for behavioral change, maintaining “Waste Banks” where students exchange sorted waste for points, savings, or rewards.
Community & Local Government: Development of data-driven recording systems to ensure systematic waste management and improved collection efficiency by the Pa Deng Sub-district Administrative Organization (SAO).
Move Forward
The project will move forward by integrating digital tools to analyze and scale results, specifically tracking carbon footprint reductions across three pilot areas: Pa Deng SAO, Naresuan Huay Sok Border Patrol Police School, and Ban Huay Kwang Jing School.
“Transitioning to a digital platform replaces ‘estimation’ with ‘actionable data,'” Ms. Thanyathip concluded that “We are not just disposing of waste; we are building a transparent, internationally verifiable Zero Waste model. Ultimately, this serves as empirical evidence of our commitment to giving the gift of a sustainable future and a healthy environment to our children.”
