Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deliberates on formulating guidelines for strategic cooperation in Circular Economy and Waste Management between Thailand and the Kingdom of Denmark.
(30th January 2024) Mr. Martin Schneekloth, Circular Economy Advisor at the Danish Embassy in Thailand, along with representatives from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, engaged in discussions with Mr. Pornprom Vikitset, an Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok, and other officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration regarding collaboration in the Bio-Circular-Green Economy and waste management and presented strategic cooperation projects between Thailand and the Kingdom of Denmark in the fields of circular economy and waste management.
Mr. Martin Schneekloth, Circular Economy Advisor, mentioned that from discussions with stakeholders in Thailand, three potential issues for promoting cooperation between Thailand and the Kingdom of Denmark could be addressed: 1) Support operationalization[1] of the sustainable packaging legislation with a special focus on Extended Producer Responsibility: EPR in order to expand the environmental responsibility of manufacturers to cover the entire life cycle of products and packaging, from design and production to managing used packaging, correctly according to environmentally friendly principles. 2) Improve waste sorting through a pilot project on household sorting of solid waste in high-rise buildings in Bangkok. 3) Promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences between Bangkok and countries in the ASEAN region. Consequently, a draft Thailand-Denmark Strategic Sector Cooperation on Circular Economy and Waste Management has been formulated . This three year strategic planning timeline will start to implement from mid-2024 to mid-2027, with crucial partners from Thailand, including Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Pollution Control Department, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for Sustainable Environment (TIPMSE), Ministry of Interior, Department of Local Administration, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Results from operations within the collaborative project comprise 1) Circular economy and waste management policy and concept development at national level has been supported; 2) Efficient and sound management solid waste in urban and rural areas has been supported both in Thailand and ASEAN countries. Furthermore, Sorting of household solid waste in densely populated areas in Bangkok has been improved.
Mr. Pornprom, an Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok, mentioned that the persistent issue in densely populated areas of Bangkok is the sorting of household solid waste, particularly in high-rise buildings such as condominiums. The challenge arises from the absence of intermediaries who can effectively communicate and enforce waste segregation policies. Additionally, residential areas under the National Housing Authority’s supervision also encounter issues that lack awareness regarding the importance of segregating household solid waste. Moreover, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cannot reject garbage collection from individuals who do not segregate waste, as it would violate pertinent laws. Therefore, it is crucial to implement alternative methods that offer incentives for waste segregation.
For example, reducing fees for garbage collection for those who effectively segregate waste. Mr. Pornprom also seeks collaboration with real estate developers because their existing knowledge and proposed guidelines to create incentives for waste segregation including identifying management challenges and relevant laws associated with waste segregation can contribute to formulate national waste segregation guidelines.
Mr. Martin Schneekloth, Circular Economy Advisor at the Danish Embassy in Thailand, along with representatives from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, engaged in discussions with Mr. Pornprom Vikitset, an Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok,
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deliberates on formulating guidelines for strategic cooperation in Circular Economy and Waste Management between Thailand and the Kingdom of Denmark.
