Greening Chatuchak: From Market Waste to Green Spaces with Kasetsart University

The Problem

Chatuchak District in Bangkok, Thailand, home to Kasetsart University (KU), faces serious environmental challenges. Every day, the district processes over hundreds of tons of waste, nearly 18 percent of which is food waste. A significant portion of this organic waste is generated by the weekly Wednesday and Friday markets, each producing over 200 kilograms of waste per day. However, most vendors are unaware of or do not use proper waste management practices. As a result, much of this waste ends up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and inefficient use of organic resources.

Meanwhile, the green spaces that once helped mitigate Bangkok’s heat and pollution are steadily declining. Kasetsart University, once known for its lush campus, has seen green coverage drop from 45 percent to 35 percent due to urban development. This reduction in greenery not only affects campus aesthetics but also contributes to biodiversity loss and intensifies the urban heat island effect. For residents, students, and visitors, this means hotter temperatures, poorer air quality, and fewer shaded areas for relief.

The Opportunity

Rather than treating waste and urbanization as unsolvable problems, Kasetsart University and the Chatuchak District Office chose to see them as opportunities for meaningful environmental action. Their shared vision: turn organic waste into compost and use it to restore green spaces.

The plan was straightforward but powerful. Organic waste from local markets would be collected, converted into compost, and used as fertilizer for planting trees on campus and in surrounding areas. This approach addressed two challenges, namely waste management and urban greening, at the same time. If successful, the project could reduce landfill waste, enhance public green space, and inspire other districts to follow suit.

The Partnership

This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of key local institutions: Kasetsart University, the Chatuchak District Office, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Each partner brought unique knowledge and resources to the table.

Kasetsart University provided academic expertise and applied the EPIC Model. As a member of EPIC Asia, a regional network of EPIC-N, KU enabled students to engage in experiential learning through real community problems. Second-year architecture students teamed up with environmental engineering students and volunteers to co-create practical solutions for the district’s waste issues.

The Chatuchak District Office and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration contributed their knowledge of waste systems, helped identify target locations for intervention, and supported implementation. Market vendors were also essential collaborators. By participating in a waste-sorting pilot program, they provided valuable feedback that shaped the project’s design.

A key innovation of the project was its human-centered design approach. Students worked directly with market vendors to co-develop waste-sorting tools that were simple, cost-effective, and easily integrated into daily routines. These included lightweight compost bins and clip-on collection bags that could be attached to vendor stalls and tents.

The Result

The project has already produced promising outcomes. Waste separation practices at the weekly markets have significantly improved. Instead of ending up in landfills, organic waste is now composted and used to fertilize trees. Compost produced from the markets is enough to support up to 100 trees on campus, helping restore lost greenery.

The benefits extend beyond the university. With better waste handling and more trees, the community stands to gain from lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and cooler microclimates. Market vendors report that the sorting tools are user-friendly and easy to incorporate into their routines. Students, in turn, have gained valuable hands-on experience in environmental design, systems thinking, and civic engagement.

Looking Ahead

Sustaining and scaling this initiative is the next step. Kasetsart University and the Chatuchak District Office are committed to deepening their partnership by offering ongoing training sessions, organizing public workshops, and engaging broader community groups. Regular project evaluations will help refine activities and identify new opportunities—such as expanding composting programs and planting more trees throughout the district.

This continued collaboration will strengthen Kasetsart University’s role as a hub for innovation in urban sustainability and support Chatuchak District’s broader vision for climate resilience and livable cities. Most importantly, it demonstrates how local governments and academic institutions, through frameworks like EPIC-N, can create real and lasting change by working together.

Partnership Contact Information

Department of Building Innovation
Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University
Associate Professor Dr. Pattaranan Takkanon

pattaranan.t@ku.th

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze and Jenn Sauer
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpakdee