Diverting 31,700 Tonnes of Waste: A Systematic Model for Food Waste Reduction

To prevent waste before it enters the retail system, CP AXTRA collaborated with producers to implement advanced packaging technologies. This included the use of breathable bags for fresh produce, which extended shelf life from 3 days to a range of 7 to 14 days. Additionally, the adoption of vacuum-sealed “skin-pack” technology for meat products extended saleability from 3 days to up to 21 days. To further preserve quality during handling and display, the company introduced box-based sales formats for fruits, reducing physical losses.

The company upgraded its transportation standards and employed specialized methods to ensure product integrity remains intact from the farm to the store, for example through the adoption of water-loop cooling systems and improvements in cooling system efficiency. These logistical improvements were tailored to the specific quality requirements of different food categories, significantly reducing damage and deterioration during the distribution phase.

CP AXTRA integrated digital intelligence to address overstocking, a primary driver of retail waste. By deploying an AI-assisted demand forecasting system, the company improved ordering accuracy across its wholesale and retail branches. This real-time data alignment ensures that procurement volumes match actual consumer demand, preventing the creation of surplus at the start of the retail cycle.

Internal store processes were optimized to accelerate the turnover of products nearing their expiration date while remaining safe for consumption. This strategy centers on the “Yellow Label” system, where eligible items are identified, marked with discounted pricing and re-introduced to the sales floor. In 2025, a total of 86,141.35 tonnes of products were successfully processed through this markdown system. By prioritizing the sale of these marked items, the Group ensures that food reaches customers at more affordable prices, effectively utilizing dynamic pricing as a key tool for food accessibility and waste prevention.

A rigorous sorting protocol was established at the branch level to prevent cross-contamination and preserve the value of different waste streams. Staff are trained to systematically separate materials—including edible surplus, animal-suitable surplus and organic waste—ensuring each is routed to its highest-value recovery channel before it loses value.

For food surplus that remains safe and suitable for human consumption, the company established formal logistics chains for donation. Through structured partnerships like the “BKK Food Bank Project” with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and organizations like Scholars of Sustenance (SOS), CP AXTRA has redistributed over 4 million meals to vulnerable populations.

Waste no longer fit for human consumption is converted into new economic assets under the “From Waste to Wealth” concept. Safe surplus is redirected to 27 wildlife conservation centres nationwide as animal feed. Additionally, lower-grade waste is converted into high-protein insect feed through Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming in collaboration with Khon Kaen University and BEDO, helping local farmers reduce feed costs by up to 50%.

To ensure long-term accountability, CP AXTRA embedded the initiative into its corporate governance structure. This involves conducting regular waste audits and including specific waste reduction metrics in the performance evaluations of employees and management. Results are reported directly to senior sustainability leadership, driving a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.

Systematic waste management integrated across the entire value chain demonstrates that sustainability and profitability are mutually reinforcing by generating new economic value from previously discarded materials.

Collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies (BMA, BEDO), academic institutions (Khon Kaen University), and civil society (SOS), is essential to impact beyond company boundaries and successfully turn waste into value across the supply chain.

Aligning Zero Waste goals with measurable performance indicators across all business units and including these metrics in performance evaluations ensures high-level accountability and drives continuous improvement.