Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited has partnered with DOS Life, an expert in comprehensive water management systems under the Thammasorn Group, to jointly develop an innovative manhole cover made from recycled HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) post-consumer plastic as an alternative to traditional concrete manhole covers. This new manhole cover design can bear up to 63% more weight while being over 80% lighter, helping improve workplace safety and reducing transportation and maintenance burdens.
It also helps reduce the use of new resources by recycling more than 6.5 tonnes of plastic back into use, equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,123 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e). It is currently being piloted with 6,105 covers across 4 low-rise residential projects of Frasers Property Thailand, with a target to expand its use to more than 70 new projects by 2027.
Mr. Somboon Wasinchachawan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Residential Real Estate Group, Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited, said “The company places great importance on resource management in accordance with circular economy principles, aiming to reduce the use of new resources, minimize waste, and add value to materials so they can be reused once again.
The rainwater manhole cover is one example of this approach. Traditional concrete manhole covers may crack and allow water to pool, which may require multiple replacements. The company therefore partnered with DOS Life to develop a new manhole cover design made from recycled plastic to help address this issue, reduce waste, support efficient cost management, and increase strength, safety, and convenience in transportation and installation”
“We believe that driving sustainability requires collaboration from all sectors in the industry. The company is therefore ready to open this innovation as Open Innovation, allowing other real estate operators to build upon and widely apply it without licensing fees, which will help elevate sustainability standards in the Thai real estate sector even faster”
Mr. Thiti Toviwat, Managing Director of Thammasorn Company Limited, said “Frasers Property Thailand and DOS Life jointly developed the “recycled plastic manhole cover” from structural design, performance testing, to the selection of materials suitable for actual use, with continuous collaborative development over more than 1 year.” This innovation has 5 key highlights, as follows:
1. Beautiful and safe design with a non-slip surface and patterns that enhance the product’s appearance and image, suitable for use in a variety of environments.
2. Strong and durable, made from recycled HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic combined with a systematically arranged and interconnected reinforcing rib structure (RIB) that gives the material high strength, durability, and flexibility. Test results show it can bear more than 63% more weight than concrete septic tank lids.
3. Efficient drainage, with a 4-directional drainage groove design that improves drainage efficiency and reduces the accumulation of leaves or debris, along with open–close drainage openings that help prevent insects and pests from entering the septic tank.
4. Cost-effective over its lifetime, with a service life up to 6 times longer than conventional septic tank lids. Concrete septic tank lids have an average lifespan of 5 years, while recycled plastic septic tank lids last no less than 30 years, reducing the frequency of replacement, maintenance costs, and waste from repairs and lid replacements. Considering the lifespan and the risk of damage that may require multiple replacements of concrete septic tank lids, the lifecycle cost of the “recycled plastic septic tank lid” is more cost-effective in the long run.
5. Easy to install and transport, safer, and helps reduce work risks. The Fin Lock system, a locking fin on the underside of the lid, allows the septic tank lid to fit tightly onto the tank rim, reducing lid movement during use and increasing safety and stability by allowing the distance between the lid and the rim to be adjusted appropriately, helping keep the lid in place and reducing shifting. Weighing more than 80% less than conventional concrete septic tank lids, it helps reduce transportation costs, associated fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the risk of heavy lifting injuries for workers.
Currently, Frasers Property Thailand has piloted the use of “recycled plastic septic tank lids” in 4 projects: GUTE Sukhumvit 76, GUTE Sathorn, Grandio Rama 2–Taksin, and Goldina Ngamwongwan-Prachachuen
“In addition, Frasers Property Thailand also places importance on comprehensive water management through its partnership with DOS Life, covering everything from clean water storage and supply systems into homes, grease traps, and household wastewater treatment systems, to central wastewater collection and treatment.
The wastewater will be treated and disinfected before being reused to maintain the green areas within the company's project. The recycled plastic manhole cover is therefore another innovation that helps improve water management efficiency, alongside the reuse of recycled materials and reducing the demand for new resources, which reflects our ongoing commitment to raising the standards of sustainable construction,” Mr. Somboon concluded.
