Circular Economy

At present, climate change and environmental problems have become more severe; therefore, many organizations and people must review and change their mindset regarding production methods, consumption, and services. The circular economy is one solution that can solve these challenges while enabling economic growth, minimizing waste management expenditures as well as ensuring adequate resources. Nonetheless, population growth can lessen the need to rely on key raw materials from abroad, minimizing CO₂ emission and waste while creating new production innovation which in turn, helps generate more added value. BDMS determines the directions and sustainability goals for 2050 by increasing the ratio of non-hazardous and reusable waste by 50%

Management Approach

BDMS values resource use efficiency while minimizing loss and emphasizing recycling throughout the supply chain under the circular economy principle. Simultaneously, BDMS raises awareness and encourages consumer behavior changes following the 5Rs principle (reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and reject).

Waste Management guidelines are as follows:

1. Garbage containers must have characteristics suitable for use. There are specific colors to accommodate each type of waste or other messages or symbols that clearly indicate that type of waste may be specified on the waste container instead.

Blue for general waste
Green for organic waste
Yellow for recycled waste
Orange or Gray for toxic or hazardous waste
Red for infectious waste

2. Setting up garbage containers in the hospital/company area

The responsible department provides trash cans set in different areas around the hospital/company which have sufficient clear identification signs appropriate to the amount of waste that will be generated.

Hospitals should set up containers to receive at least 3 types of waste in various areas: general waste, recycled waste, and infectious waste.
Company should set up containers to receive at least 2 items of waste in various areas: general waste and recycled waste.
Hospital/company garbage house must be separated into 5 types according to item 1.

3. Waste management methods Executives and employees at all levels are responsible for separating waste and managing hazardous waste appropriately. Waste disposal guidelines for hospitals/companies can be considered as appropriate in each area according to established practices and laws.

Waste measurement and audit.

The hospital/company organizes random inspections of waste disposal regularly at waste disposal points at least twice a month to encourage participation in correct waste sorting.
BDMS CSD will review the quantity of waste (measured in kilograms) from each category of hospitals and companies every 3 months.

Employee Engagement in Waste Reduction

BDMS places strong emphasis on employee participation and behavioral change to reduce operational waste. The organization implements various educational activities and projects to promote waste management awareness and encourages the creation of innovations, practices, or guidelines that support waste reduction. Key initiatives include:

Raising employee awareness of the environmental impacts of waste and the importance of environmental conservation. This fosters a sense of responsibility and promotes correct waste disposal behavior—both at the workplace and at home to reduce waste generation, disposal costs, and environmental harm.
Ensuring that employees understand the importance of proper waste segregation based on waste types to enable appropriate disposal and reuse.
Continuously adopting innovative technologies, equipment, and knowledge to reduce, recycle, and reuse waste. Employees are encouraged to share ideas and propose projects, activities, or technological innovations related to waste management.
Sustaining the waste separation initiative across all BDMS entities.
Organizing annual outreach activities and events to educate communities and the general public on effective waste management practices.

The ratio of non-hazardous waste is utilized

25.79%

Waste Management Projects

Waste Competition

Pic Waste Competition logo

One of the key measures of this initiative is Waste Competition, organized to promote internal competition on waste management within the organization. The main goal is to cultivate a culture of systematic waste management and drive the organization toward achieving the Zero Waste to Landfill target, aiming to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills to zero, and positioning the organization as a leader in Green Healthcare.

SAMITIVEJ WINS WASTE: PPE Isolation Gown by Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital

This project has successfully collected over 4,000 kilograms of PET plastic bottles per year and processed them into polyester fibers, which were then sent to manufacturing companies to be made into 1,400 pieces of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), specifically “Isolation Gowns” for infection prevention. The feedback from healthcare personnel on the effectiveness of these gowns has been very positive. The project also supports the production of essential medical equipment, meeting the need to protect healthcare workers from risks while performing their duties, especially during crisis situations such as the outbreak of infectious diseases.

Pic SVH

Klean Go Green by A.N.B. Laboratories

Klean Go Green by Klean&Kare is a collaborative initiative to simultaneously promote health care and environmental conservation. The primary objective aims to reduce, recycle and upcycle the waste from PP plastic bottles from Klean&Kare saline solution into new and useful products for healthcare operations and society. By recycling non-biodegradable PP plastic bottles, the initiative helps reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment and repurpose it into new valuable products. Moreover, by implementing a comprehensive Green Ecosystem, the initiative aligns with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited or BDMS’ objective of being the leader in the healthcare service provider while fostering sustainable business operations in the environmental, social, and corporate governance aspects. The initiative aims to collect 77,000 kilograms of PP plastic bottles through the manufacturing process and customer collaboration. These bottles will be upcycled to reduce plastic waste and create valuable new products for healthcare operations and the community. Additionally, BDMS engages customers through Facebook, Line, and influencers to promote environmental responsibility, build collaboration, and raise awareness on environmental conservation.

Digitizing the International Insurance Billing Process to Support Sustainability

BDMS has transformed its international insurance billing process from a manual system—where staff had to scan documents and send them via email—to a fully automated electronic process. This new approach enables the seamless collection of required documents directly from hospital systems such as TrakCare, SAP, and IMS, and organizes them according to the invoice—without the need to print or scan any paper documents into PDF files.

This digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also reflects BDMS’s commitment to sustainable growth. The initiative has led to a reduction of approximately 22,000 sheets of paper per year, equivalent to saving 26.6 trees and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 319.2 kg CO₂ equivalent annually.