Status and Issues of Recycling in Thailand

Status and Issues of
Recycling in Thailand
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thumrongrut MUNGCHAROEN 1
Mr.Patanasak HOONTRAKUL 2
(Thailand)
1
Expert, Cleaner Technology Advancement Program, National Metal and
Materials Technology Center and
Head, Chemical Engineering Department, Kasetsart University
2
President, Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association and
Board & Treasurer, Foundation for International
390
Human Resource Development

Topics
1. Current recycling system
2. Legal framework and
government policies
3. Industry practices
4. Issues and problems
391

1. Current recycling system in Thailand
From the study on “Thailand Energy Strategy and Policy” by Energy Research
Institute, Chulalongkorn University:
• Each year about 13 million tons of waste are generated
(3 to 4 million tons or 30% is generated in Bangkok area)
• Recycling is currently carried out by individuals and the informal sector
1. Residents source separate some recyclable materials and sell them directly
to street buyers
2. Waste collectors separate additional recyclable materials from garbage
picked up from homes and businesses
3. Pickers recover additional recyclable material at the landfill
• Larger businesses sell recyclable materials directly to junk shops and brokers
Urban waste consists of about 40% organic material, 20% plastic, and 10% paper
- Current informal sector and various informal arrangements recover an
estimated 22% of the urban waste stream
- No significant attempts to recycle the organic fraction of waste through
composting or digestion
392

1. Current recycling system in Thailand (cont.)
• Rural waste is made up mostly of food scraps.
- Food waste is fed to animals, and the remainder is composted or dried for use as
fuel
- There is no organized disposal option for rural waste so littering has been reported
as a problem in rural areas
• Waste management planning has reached a critical point in
many area. Old landfills are closed, and there is strong local
resistance to construction of new landfills
• Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University (2000) has proposed a
comprehensive recycling strategy which includes the following components:
1. Increased recycling of dry materials from residential, commercial and industrial
waste;
2. Collection and composting or digestion of organic waste from
residential, commercial and industrial sources;
3. Manufacture of a refuse derived fuel (RDF) from some portions of the garbage
stream;
4. Mandatory source separation of recyclable, compostable and reusable material
393
for commercial and industrial waste generators;

1. Current recycling system in Thailand
(cont.)
5. Mandatory source separation of recyclable and compostable material
from urban waste collected by municipal crews;
6. Implementation of a user pay policy for waste collected by municipal
forces;
7. Implementation of user fees (tipping fees) for waste disposal at landfills;
8. Recycling and community composting of rural waste;
9. Extensive and on-going public education campaigns targeting the
requirements of the new source separation systems;
10. A national recycling target of 50%, to be achieved by the year 2008;
11. New legislation on mandatory source separation of materials by
residents and businesses throughout Thailand;
12. New anti-litter legislation;
13. Consultation with the public and industry on long term financing of the
waste management system, and an appropriate role for industry in
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providing financial support.

1. Current recycling system in Thailand
(cont.)
• Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) has established a “Material
Exchange Center” (MEC), a web-based center, to serve as a
neutral body in coordinating the needs of factories or
companies that have waste or discarded materials for recycling
and those in need of materials for recycling
- Recycling one ton of aluminum saves the energy equivalent of 2,350
gallons of gasoline.
- Every ton of steel recycled saves 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds
of coal and 120 pounds of lime stone
- Recycling paper produces 73 percent less air pollution than does
manufacturing paper from virgin materials, while recycling glass cuts
down on mining wastes from glass manufacturing by 80 percent
http://www.tei.or.th/mec/
395

Amount of Industry and Community waste and % recycle
Industries
Amount of Industrial
and Community
waste (tons/yr)
Amount of Useful
waste
tons
%
Method
paper
3,139,000
1,024,000
32
Recycle
glass
1,756,000
730,000
41
Recycle
180,000
10
Reuse
plastic
2,930,000
674,000
23
Recycle
steel
28,552,000
2,288,000
80
Recycle
Aluminum
276,000
135,000
49
Recycle
Tire
358,000
41
11
Recycle
396
35,000
10
Reuse

80
70
60
%
50
40
30
20
current (%)
expected(%)
10
0
glass
paper
plastic
steel
Aluminium
Tyre
Expected % recycle of Thailand
397

Total Consumption in Thailand
1.2
Ouantities (Million Units)
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
TV Air Con. Refrig. Comp. Monitor
Year
398

2. Legal framework and government policies
9 th National Economic and Social Development
Plan (2002-2006)
2006)
Supporting the segregation, take back and recovery
of wastes at least 30%
Promoting the waste recovery and cleaner technology
(CT)
Measures
Promote CT for the eco-efficiency efficiency in manufacturing
sector to reduce raw materials, energy and pollution
as well as increase the 3R efficiency and resource use
potential, such as design for long-life life product, design
of zero emission product, etc.
Control the production of packaging in order to
reduce/select materials and increase 3R
Promote the material/waste exchange center in the
manufacturing sector 399

Target of pilot study in
Thailand’s s Municipality
Lampang
Municipality
1. Reduce the amount of waste and trash by
10% in the first year and then increase to
20% within 5 years by the project of picking
out waste and trash from 6 schools under
the Department of Education
Nonthaburi
Municipality
1. Recycle 20% of collected household waste
by 2005
1. Increase green area by 20% by 2005
400

Strategy on WEEE & RoHS
Set up a working committee to follow up and assess the effect of
these directives. There are 5 groups of products: 1) Computers
and Electronics 2) Household Electrical Appliances 3) Lightings
4) Medical Equipments 5) Others (Toys, etc.)
Raise awareness to industries especially SMEs
Study the appropriate measures to implement
Improve Law & Regulations to comply with those international
regulations
Set up an Early Warning System for other directives to come
Future Tasks on WEEE & RoHS
Create and support to launch the appropriate take back system
of WEEE
Develop and issue the restricted law and regulation to control the t
discard, 3R and final disposal of WEEE
Promote 3R and material/waste exchange to manufacturer
Establish the Central WEEE Management Facilities for
segregation, reuse, recycle, recovery, treatment and final
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disposal

Relevant projects/programmes
programmes
Department of Foreign Trade
- Study on the Impacts of Directive on WEEE and RoHS to Thai Industries and the
WEEE Management Guide (studied by EEI/ TEI/ MTEC/ KU/ CU) … 2003
Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)
- Study and promote “Waste Exchange” to industry section
National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC)
- Study on the substitution of Hz substance use in the EEE (2003-now)
- Green Manufacturing Technical Assistance Program (under Green Aid A
Plan) on
LCA, Ecodesign and Recycling Technology (2002-now)
- Research and Promotion of CT, LCA, Ecodesign, , and Recycling
(project on LCA of Rotary compressor/ LCA of Refrigerator/ Eco-Compressor/ etc.)
NEPO (National Energy Policy Office)
- Study on “Integration of Recycling into the Energy Conservation Plan” (2000)
Pollution Control Department (PCD)
- The establishment of the appropriate bring/buy back system for WEEE
- Draft the regulation on hazardous waste management on the basis of deposit-
refund system
- Technical guideline on WEEE Management (overview, fluorescent lamp, l
monitor)
402
Department of Industrial Works (DIW)
- FS on WEEE Recycle Plant

3. Industry Practices
3.1 Toyota, Thailand
Thinner
Steel scrap
From pressing
Wood, paper
Recycle
factory
• Redesign for smallest steel scrap
• Recycle of plastic: Cut to small pieces Loading Recycle
• Thinner reused
403
• Recycle Fluorescence Bulbs

3. Industry Practices
3.2 Michelin Siam Group Co.,Ltd.
Used Tire Recycling Project
a joint project between the 3 major tire manufacturers of Thailand
and
(Michelin Siam Group + Goodyear Thailand + Bridgestone NRC)
Total production capacity of 25.5 million pieces annually. In 2001, 2
the actual production of ~ 19.7 million tires (domestic 11.6 million,
lion,
export 8.1 million)
Used Tire Recycling Project
Today, fewer and fewer used tires are ending up in landfill or dumps d
as new recycling possibilities are developed and more people
become aware of the ecological stakes involved.
Michelin is committed to the fight to protect the environment and
actively participates in the common movement within the tire industry
to encourage end-of
of-life tire recycling
Recycling rates in 2002: Western Europe 73%, Japan 87%, North
America 85%, Brazil 31%
(Sources - BLIC, RMA, JATMA.) 404

Used Tire Recycling Project
The main challenge is the creation and management of genuine e solutions for collecting
and recycling end-of
of-life tires
1. Energy recovery: : An end-of
of-life tire represents an amount of heat energy comparable
to that of good-quality coal: 30 to 34 MJ/kg. So one tonne of tires yields the same
energy as 0.7 tonne of oil.The low level of sulfur (1%) contained in tires compared
with certain types of coal (5%) make them a substitute fuel with less impact on the
environment.
2. Material recovery: Michelin considers non-reusable end-of
of-life tires to be recyclable
items and is doing its utmost to change their image as waste, by developing their
reuse in various forms.
3. Whole tires: : These are used as filling material for roads, retaining structures, ures, noise-
abatement walls and as shock absorbers along jetties and quaysides.
4. Cut tires: : Cut tires are widely used as a supporting layer for rail tracks s to reduce noise
and vibration.
5. Shredded tires: : In shredded form, they are mainly used as draining sub-layers or as
light filling material in road construction.
6. Granulate and powder: : When ground into a granulate or powder, tires are used to
make molded objects such as refuse containers and golf cart wheels. The powdered
form can also be used to make surfaces for sports activities: stadiums, playground
surfaces, etc. Similarly, the addition of powdered 405 rubber to road d surfaces helps to
reduce tire/road contact noise and increase the life span of the surface.

3. Industry Practices
3.3 Siam Cement Group
Recycling and Greening the Supply Chain
Raw material supplier
Final products manufacturer
End user
- Just started “Green Procurement Project” in 2004: set up main
406
criteria using LCA concept with social & environmental management

Tons
600000
500000
Management
Siam Cement Group: 2001-
87,012
2003
15.70 %
Reuse/RecycleWithin
RecycleOutside
(Ref.slide 9)
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
467,322
84.30 %
77,065
180,907
29.87 %
70.13 %
297,319
213,098
2001
407
2002 2003
58.25
41.75
Year

3. Industry Practices
3.4 3R of used computers
Main Components of Computers:
CPU, Monitor, Keyboard, Speakers and Mouse
Copper
7.0%
Lead
6.3%
Others
0.3%
Glass
24.9%
Aluminium
14.2%
Plastic
22.8%
Iron
24.5%
408
Components by types of material

3.4 3R of used computers (Cont.)
There are ~ 927,850 computers in Thailand in 2001
- 890,300 Desktops and 37,550 Laptops (Notebooks)
(average 5.75 sets per 100 households)
Potential for Recycle of used computers
Group 1: High (> 80%) - Aluminum, Iron, Nickel, Gold, Silver
Group 2: Moderate (50~80%) - Zinc, Indium, Silinium, Rhodium
Group 3: Low (

3. Industry Practices
3.5 Recycle of WEEE in Thailand
Type of
product
Life time of WEEE (year)
Thailand
Japan
(METI 2002)
Japan Off of
Secretariat of
Cabinet 2002
Japan Tokyo
Metro 1998
TV 18.6 12.5 10.23 13.95
Refrigerator 15.1 13.5 11.48 14.58
Washing 11.9 11.2 9.03 11.95
M/C
A/C Indoor 9.24 13.8 - 13.71
A/C Outdoor 8.85 13.8 12.55 15.20
410
Source: Survey of the WEEE in Thailand , June 2004 (for PC: 7 years, CRT: 9.27 years)

3. Industry Practices
3.5 Recycle of WEEE in Thailand
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Type of WEE
TV
Refrigerator
Washing
Machine
A/C Indoor
A/C Outdoor
PC
CRT Screen
Average weight
(kg/unit)
17.45
40.37
45.48
35.10
40.59
6.79
13.61
Recyclable
rate (%)
31
92
71
100
100
100
100
Non-recyclable
rate (%)
411
Source: Survey conducted by dismantling the parts of the WEEE, 10 units for each category
69
8
29
0
0
0
0

4. Issues and problems
• Wastes in Thailand currently increase ~10%
each year
• Very difficult to separate “Useful waste” from
“Municipal wastes”
• Lack of a specific regulation or measure for
the management of waste
• Lack of high technology Recycle factory
• Poor financial support on waste management
as reflected in the budget allocation each year
• Lack of expertise, technologies and facilities
412

Problems
How to reduce waste/ garbage
• Lack of public awareness
• Lack of promotion activities
• Laws and regulations are not adequate to protect
export of low quality products (generate more
wastes)
How to segregate waste/ garbage
• Lack of public awareness
• No formal/systematic waste or garbage
separation/ segregation
• Goods/ products sold didn’t t design to easy
disassemble/ recycle
How to reuse/ recycle
• Lack of expertise and research
• Lack of support/ commitment from the government
• Lack of technologies and funding
413

Problems/Constraints for WEEE
• Rapid growth of EEE Production and Use in Thailand has
resulted in a major increase in the quantity of WEEE
• Hazard content of WEEE is of concern and cause the
environmental problem
• Illegal import of WEEE in the term of second hand products for
sale or reuse are the environmental and financial burden
• 90% of WEEE is currently disposed together with municipal solid
wastes without pre-treatment (recycling by informal sectors)
• Lack of a specific regulation or measure for the management of
WEEE (No law on take back system, No law on WEEE recycling)
• No agency directly responsible for take back system and
recycling (there are only organizations for the environment)
• Lack of expertise, technologies and facilities.
414

References
• Kokusai Kogyo (Thailand), “The Field Survey on the
Discharge of WEEE”, June 2004
• Siam Cement Group, “Sustainability Report 2003”.
• Thailand Environmental Institute, Proceeding on
“Waste and Energy Management: How Business
should adjust”, December 2003.
• http://www.tei.or.th/mec/
• http://www.runsnroses.com/information/recycle.htm
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