Not Pretty, But It Helps the Planet! TOPS under Central Retail Launches ‘Pretty Ugly Bag’ to Turn Old Banners into Planet-Friendly Shopping Bags
The campaign offers a lifetime free replacement for the “heart-warming" upcycled bags, aiming to reduce plastic usage
Bangkok, 13 August 2025 — TOPS, the food business under Central Retail, is building on its commitment to sustainability with the launch of its ‘Pretty Ugly Bag’ campaign, themed ‘an ugly bag that helps the planet.’ This initiative encourages the most efficient use of resources by upcycling used vinyl banners from TOPS DAILY storefronts into new shopping bags. This reinforces TOPS's sustainability mission to operate with social and environmental responsibility and create new value from waste materials in a tangible way. All bags come with a lifetime free replacement for damage from normal use. In its first phase, the project aims to produce over 20,400 bags, which will help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 2.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. The bags will be available in the first phase at 10 participating TOPS DAILY branches in Bangkok and Nonthaburi for just 89 baht. The campaign runs from today until 30 September 2025, or while stocks last. A second phase is expected to launch from October 2025 onwards.
Mr. Chakkit Chatupanyachotikul, Head of Marketing, Public Relations & CSV of Central Food Retail under Central Retail, said, “Plastic waste remains a significant problem in Thailand. A report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment indicated that last year, the country generated over 2.88 million tonnes of plastic waste. As Thailand’s leading food retailer, TOPS is committed to environmentally friendly operations in every dimension and has a policy for efficient resource use, including Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, which has been developed into numerous environmental projects.
“Recently, we launched a special campaign to encourage everyone to change their behavior towards using resources with maximum value. We are upcycling materials from the 10,248 used advertising vinyl banners from our TOPS DAILY storefronts each year to add new value, turning them into shopping bags under the name ‘Pretty Ugly Bag’—a bag that isn’t pretty, but helps the planet. In the first phase, we aim to use approximately 50% of all used vinyl to produce over 20,400 bags.
“We are communicating the bag’s concept as a symbol of environmentalism. Even though it is made from used, old, and imperfect materials, it is strong, durable, and uniquely different in every piece. This creates a sense of pride for those who carry it, showing they are part of making this world more sustainable.”
The “Pretty Ugly Bag”—a bag that isn't pretty but helps the world—is available under the concept ‘Ugly Bag, Pretty World’. The bag is made from used advertising vinyl banners. It is sold for 89 baht and comes with a lifetime free replacement for damage from actual use. It is available at 10 TOPS DAILY branches in Bangkok and Nonthaburi: The Season Phahonyothin 1, CentralwOrld Offices, Sukhumvit 33, Sun Plaza, Summer Hill, KL Villa Lat Krabang, Government Complex, The Lighthouse, The Residence on Thonglor, and Central Food Retail Head Office (Central Chaengwattana, 17th Floor).
The “Pretty Ugly Bag” is one of TOPS' s environmental projects, operating under the ‘12 Missions to Sustainable Retail’ strategy to achieve our sustainability goals and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It follows our ‘Small Acts Together’ concept, encouraging everyone to participate in creating significant change. Upcycling old vinyl into bags for this project will reduce carbon dioxide by 2.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This aligns with data from ResearchGate, which indicates that upcycling vinyl banners can reduce carbon emissions by up to 78% compared to manufacturing from new materials.
“TOPS is committed to driving progress across all areas of our business—from sourcing products responsibly and delivering value to consumers, to sustainably protecting the environment. Back in 2018, we were the first retailer to officially stop providing plastic carrier bags, a major step in reducing plastic waste. We are continuing with many other initiatives, such as installing solar panels at standalone stores, using energy-saving refrigerators that cut electricity consumption by up to 35%, deploying electric delivery vehicles, switching beer packaging from glass bottles to aluminum cans on Koh Phangan, and redistributing surplus food to communities in need nationwide. Every step we take is aimed at creating meaningful benefits for both people and the planet,” Mr. Chakkit concluded.
Join TOPS in making a difference for the planet today. Get your Pretty Ugly Bag at any of the 10 participating TOPS DAILY branches for just 89 baht. For more information, visit www.tops.co.th, Facebook: TopsThailand, or LINE: @TopsThailand.
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