What to bring back from your travels? Can you find an item that is not just a souvenir but one that becomes a true symbol of change, a new approach to the world of things and values? Let’s explore visionary brands in Thailand that are evolving based on ecological principles, whether it’s the production of 100% recycled plastic and biodegradable materials or the creation of meaning and even flavors. Meet three brands that truly care.
From Souvenirs
to Treasures
Three Eco-Friendly Productions with a Signature Style
Home and Lifestyle Items — Agora Design Mat
My name is Nontikarn Asarasakorn, and I manage production in the third generation of our family business — my grandparents started it. We began with plastic mats, widely used throughout Thailand. Now, as the market evolves with products made from various materials, we are exploring new possibilities. This marked the beginning of the Agora Design brand.
In this industry, the competition is very high, so we decided to focus on recycled plastic. Our craftsmen produce three types of products. The first includes everyday items like bags, baskets, and picnic mats. The second category comprises home goods and decorations. The third consists of ritual products, serving as alternatives to wreaths and garlands typically discarded after funeral ceremonies. Using recycled plastic, we create wreaths that can be used for multiple ceremonies, reducing waste. This is a significant and widespread sector in Thailand, and we aim to optimize it.
On the History of the Enterprise
The idea of recycling was already on my grandfather’s mind. My mom used to recount how he would drive through the streets of Bangkok, observing heaps of plastic waste. He would say, «We sell plastic. Perhaps we should use all this waste to become our new material, our asset?» However, at that time, Thailand lacked recycling laws, and we didn’t have enough staff for independent plastic collection.
When opportunities for recycling emerged in the market, we started incorporating these technologies into our production. It wasn’t easy; each batch of recycled plastic varied depending on the collected waste. It was a challenge. However, the company continued to adapt, learn, and continues to do so today.
We not only utilize recycled material for 100% of our production but also adhere to the zero-waste principle. We strive to repurpose industrial waste for beneficial purposes, such as passing it on to other projects. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from our sales is donated to environmental conservation funds.
Production Philosophy
Our production isn’t that large — it’s managed solely by my brother and me. Profits are distributed among all employees. Aggressive marketing isn’t our style. We take pride in engaging in a profitable business that benefits both society and the environment. That’s enough for us.
Maddy Hopper Footwear
Maddy Hopper is a Thai eco-friendly brand specializing in producing sneakers from recycled materials. Plastic bottles and natural latex are utilized in the shoe manufacturing process, while waterproof packaging made from craft paper is employed for sustainability and reusability. Environmental consciousness, functionality, and a simple design that complements any style are the core values of Maddy Hopper. Co-founders Parkin and Chan share the brand’s origins and its ongoing evolution.
How It All Began
There were numerous challenges, each stage presenting its own set of difficulties. We lacked any knowledge or experience in this industry; we were financial professionals, none of us had studied design or worked in similar companies. Figuring out how everything worked and where to start was a struggle. But that didn’t deter us — what mattered was having an idea, the desire to bring it to life, and the courage to pursue it. We simply opened Google, searched for information, and then reached out to various suppliers, bombarding them with a multitude of questions.
The second challenge revolved around not knowing how to make the production more eco-friendly — which materials existed and where to find them. We spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out where to source recycled plastic.
Questions about responsible resource management and conscious consumption have concerned me for a long time. I often come across news about environmental issues, and as someone who engages in diving, I have witnessed firsthand the damage people inflict on marine ecosystems. Therefore, I wanted to create a brand that would benefit people and not harm nature.
Every brand should be like a person, with its own character and name. We decided to use the word «mad,» which in English means «insanity.» It surrounds us everywhere: environmental, political, and economic global issues. And «hopper» means «one who jumps.» Our character is friendly and optimistic; he knows how to turn the bad into good, for example, transforming waste into useful things. We started with the idea that «madness» is something negative, but by thinking about solutions, something can be changed for the better. By solving problems within ourselves, we positively influence society as a whole. Jump and make crazy moves — that’s the motto of Maddy Hopper.
To manufacture a pair of sneakers, it takes approximately two plastic bottles with a volume of one and a half liters each. We have already sold more than 2,000 pairs of shoes, preventing tons of plastic from ending up in landfills. The soles and insoles are crafted from latex waste leftover from mattress production — they are very soft and flexible. Additionally, all the components are hand-sewn without the use of glue. For packaging, we opted for waterproof, washable, and biodegradable bags made of kraft paper. The delivery envelopes are made from corn and cassava, decomposing within 180 days.
Initially, we viewed Maddy Hoper as a project rather than a business. We experimented: what if we created shoes that we ourselves would want to wear? Would people buy sneakers? Would the brand become well-known? We want to continue inventing new things to find answers to all these questions and be a part of the driving force that makes the planet better. Hopefully, as Maddy Hopper grows and becomes more popular, people will start caring more about the environment.
Jartisann Cheeserie
Jared, the owner and founder of the production, specializes in crafting Thai artisanal cheese. He has been involved in cheesemaking for 17 years. Alongside his team, Jared has created a dozen varieties of cheese. The cheesemaking facility exclusively uses milk from local cows.
How It All Began
Jartisann was opened in 2020 a bakery and restaurant, but it quickly closed due to the pandemic, with a lack of regular customers. At the same time, there was an unused refrigerator. I decided to modify it and resume cheesemaking just for the pleasure of it. One day, a Frenchman visited our store — the head chef of Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, one of the most prestigious hotels in the capital. I happened to have two or three pieces of cheese made in the French style. The chef tried them and said, «This is very good,» and suggested that I focus on producing this cheese. If sufficient quantities are achieved, his hotel will start purchasing the product. He believed in the venture after trying just one type of cheese! Such things are very inspiring.
If you seize the opportunities, something truly great can emerge. In 2020, the world came to a halt. But in any critical situation, it is worth looking for opportunities. That’s exactly what I did.
Music and Cheese
Creating cheese is akin to composing music. I used to be a musician, composing songs. So, drawing parallels, I said, «Let’s write a new song.»
We utilized whatever came to hand — Chinese noodle soup pots, woven rattan baskets, plastic cups. The key is to be creative. Many years ago, when I was just starting out and wanted to teach farmers to make cheese, I found a large stainless steel pot resembling a wok, bought another one, connected them, and filled them with water. It turned into a large double-layered skillet. We added a small gas stove — a regular one used for cooking — and voila! We made blue mold cheese. I believe my strength lies in figuring out how to use what surrounds me in production. Perhaps that’s why we became successful.
Cheese and Meditation
When you’re trying to find a way to do something right, it takes a lot of energy. Meditation helps the mind reach a stage where processes will unfold with ease. You need to enter a state where the mind is crystal clear, and then you’ll easily see the right path. Artists do the same: they calm the mind, cleanse emotions, free themselves from excitement, and step onto the stage, performing in front of thousands of spectators. I do the same when creating a new recipe. There’s a kind of magic that happens, and I just know how to bring my vision to life.
17 Years Ago: A Task from the Prince
I learned to make cheese at the request of the Prince of Pisa. He previously headed the «Royal Project» foundation, which worked, among other things, with agriculture and mountain tribes. At that time, they had 20-30 Indian buffaloes, which the Indian government had gifted to our king for his 60th birthday. They had buffalo milk, but they couldn’t make good cheese from it.
Initially, in the foundation, I worked on other projects—for instance, I came up with a way to set up a smoking chamber in the style of medieval Europe. I experimented for a long time, and it turned out well. After that, the prince said to me, «Maybe you could try making mozzarella from buffalo milk?» And I replied, «Your Highness, I will give it a try.»
Cheese-Life Philosophy
Those who walk their own path in life often make mistakes. However, in the end, they always know more than those who have been shown and taught everything. While you’re heading in the wrong direction, your knowledge deepens, and you explore the connections between temperature, time, and bacterial cultures. And you understand everything better than those who had a ready-made recipe from the start.
