In the heart of Sammakorn Village, Bangkok, Early BKK might appear at first glance to be just another trendy café. But a closer look reveals a space deeply committed to people and the planet. Founded by Kedita Chaisaksiri, Early BKK is designed around the concept of “Reduce Before You Begin” — maximizing the use of existing resources before introducing new ones. Much of the café’s interiors, including walls, ceilings, and tables, are constructed using recycled materials, notably recycled beverage cartons from Tetra Pak.

From Sammakorn to Ramintra: A Second Branch with the Same Soul

This eco-conscious philosophy has now extended to a second branch — Early Yuyen, a pet-friendly café located in My Paws Backyard on Ramintra 34 (Soi Yuyen). While the concept remains the same, the design of the new 75 sqm space offers a fresh approach by space+craft, an architectural studio that has reimagined the café as a communal space where the local community can gather.

The interiors again feature recycled materials such as:

EnviroBoard: Compressed panels made from used Tetra Pak beverage cartons, with a plywood-like texture used for ceilings and tabletops.

Eco Blocks: Durable bricks created from a blend of plastic and foil waste from beverage cartons, suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. These blocks are not only weather-resistant but also eye-catching — ideal for attracting curious customers and their furry companions.

A Sustainable Partnership: Breathing New Life into Waste

The collaboration between Early BKK and Tetra Pak Thailand has been purposeful from the start.
Patinya Silsupadol, Sustainability Director at Tetra Pak (Thailand), explains:

“We’ve worked with Early BKK from the beginning to provide recycled materials aligned with their vision. Their cafés demonstrate how circular economy principles can be beautifully integrated into modern design, giving packaging waste a second life while creating long-term positive impact on society and the environment.”

He adds:

“As a packaging producer, we believe our products should not be part of the problem, but part of the solution. Especially today, when the environmental crisis is intensifying, we’re committed to building a closed-loop ecosystem with partners like Early BKK — from responsible production to post-use collection and upcycling.”

Sustainable Business Without Compromise

Kedita Chaisaksiri, owner of Early BKK and Early Yuyen, further shares her motivation:

“Thailand generates over 70,000 tons of waste per day, much of which is not properly managed. As entrepreneurs, we wanted to create a business model that proves success doesn’t have to come at the environment’s expense. That’s why we apply the ‘Reduce Before You Begin’ philosophy to every part of our café — from construction materials and interior systems to menu design. This not only helps reduce waste and cost but also inspires others to build sustainable businesses.”

From a Local Café to a Global Stage: Showcasing Thai Innovation in Barcelona

Thanks to its unique blend of sustainable design and creative reuse, Early BKK has been selected to participate in the upcoming Barcelona Design Week Underground 2025, held from 15–17 October. Under the theme “Brewing Value from Waste,” the café will showcase examples of its recycled materials and innovative design solutions — offering global audiences a tangible model of sustainability in action.

Visit the Cafés

If you’d like to taste eco-friendly drinks and dishes while experiencing thoughtful design, you can visit both branches:

Early BKK (Sammakorn Village):
Google Maps

Early Yuyen (My Paws Backyard, Ramintra 34):
Google Maps

Or follow them on Facebook:
EarlyBKK Facebook Page