Bangkok, 5 June 2025 — TOPS, the food business under Central Retail, reaffirms its commitment to environment preservation. In observance of World Environment Day, TOPS is elevating its sustainability efforts and advancing its eco-conscious mission through the ‘12 Missions to Sustainable Retail’ strategy. As a core sustainability initiative, this aligns with ‘Small Acts Together’—empowering small actions for a more sustainable world—and supports Central Retail’s ‘CRC Care’ strategy, focusing on “Care for the Environment”. In response to the issue of accumulating waste along coastal areas, TOPS has launched a pioneering move by shifting beer sales from glass bottles to aluminium cans, starting with TOPS and TOPS DAILY branches across eight locations on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province. This initiative aims to establish Koh Phangan as a model green tourism destination in Thailand, with the ambitious goal of reducing glass bottle waste on the island from 60-75 tonnes per day to just 15 tonnes per day. This would cut municipal waste disposal burdens by 75% daily.
Mr. Stephane Coum, Chief Executive Officer – Food Group, Central Retail, stated, “Marine waste remains a critical issue that requires collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure effective waste management. According to a 2023 study by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, improperly managed waste contributing to marine pollution amounts to a staggering 34,000-51,000 tonnes.” As a sustainability-driven retail leader, TOPS is committed to creating positive environmental and social impact. In collaboration with the Sustainable Resource Management Foundation (3R Foundation), the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Surat Thani Provincial Office, the Tourism and Sports Office of Surat Thani, Koh Phangan Subdistrict Municipality, Ban Tai Subdistrict Municipality, Phet Phangan Subdistrict Municipality, and the Koh Phangan Hotel and Tourism Association, TOPS has launched a Value Chain Packaging Waste Management Project. The initiative starts with transitioning beer packaging from glass bottles to lightweight, fully recyclable aluminium cans, which are easier to transport and reduce waste accumulation at the source. This shift promotes circular economy principles, helping to minimise hazardous glass waste and increase recycling opportunities, ultimately adding value to recyclable materials.
“To uphold its commitment to sustainability across all dimensions—people, communities, society, and the environment—TOPS has launched the first phase of its initiative to replace glass-bottled beer with aluminium cans at eight stores, including both TOPS and TOPS DAILY branches, on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani. As one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations, Koh Phangan welcomes thousands of international visitors every month, many of whom come to enjoy its vibrant nightlife and laid-back island atmosphere. This initiative marks the first step towards a larger transition, with plans to phase out glass packaging across other beverage categories.
Beyond transitioning beer packaging from glass bottles to aluminium cans, TOPS continues to drive sustainability initiatives, believing that small actions, when combined, can lead to profound change. This commitment is embedded in the ‘Small Acts Together’ philosophy and implemented through the ‘12 Missions to Sustainable Retail’ strategy, aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of its sustainability efforts, TOPS has introduced 100% compostable packaging with no plastic lamination for My Choice cherries, helping to reduce environmental impact. The company has also installed solar panels at standalone TOPS stores and implemented energy-efficient refrigeration systems, which consume 35% less power compared to traditional open-display fridges.
Additionally, TOPS is actively deploying electric delivery vehicles to transport goods from distribution centres to TOPS and TOPS DAILY stores, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The company is also committed to reducing food waste by donating surplus quality food to communities in need.
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