The Royal Forest Department has organised the contest in response to the government’s stated objectives of eliminating single-use plastic in Thailand by 2022 and making sure all plastic is reusable by 2027.

Department director-general Attapon Charoenchansa said on Thursday (February 27) there are four criteria:

• List materials used, production process and cost

• Main material used must be renewable and able to naturally decompose in 1-2 years

• Average cost per package can’t exceed Bt0.85 and package must be suited to mass production of one million pieces and actual use in Forest Department nurseries

• At least 50 packages needed for testing, each able to contain 250-300 cubic centimetres (seedling and soil)

Winners of the contest at all three levels – high school, college and individual – will receive Bt50,000 and a trophy, the first runners-up Bt20,000 and the second runners-up Bt10,000.