Import of plastic waste banned

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

The import of plastic waste to Thailand has finally been banned, according to an update on regulations from the Industrial Works Department.

 

The Industrial Works Department director-general Mongkol Pruekwatana made the announcement in the Government Gazette on Tuesday, stating that the previous plastic scraps import allowance for recycling has been revoked and from now on importing plastic scraps of any kind into Thailand is prohibited.

 

In the official announcement, the Industrial Works Department cited the need for proper environmental protection of the country as a reason for this regulation change, which forbids the transport of any kind of plastic scraps, whether used or not, to the kingdom.

 

The ban forms part of the government’s solutions for tackling the problem of contaminated plastic waste and hazardous waste smuggling, which stemmed from a failure to regulate the transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

 

The Industrial Works Department had allowed the import of plastic scraps in 2008 to support the waste recycling industry in the country, and operators of plastic waste recycling plants have been importing the raw materials ever since.

 

A variety of measures had to be followed in order to bring in unused plastic. The importers needed permission from the relevant agencies first; the plastic had to be whole, not shredded, and the total amount of plastic had to be declared after the cargo arrived at the destination.

 

However, earlier this year, it was disclosed that many recycling plants operators were taking advantage of legal loopholes in the regulations dealing with plastic scraps and electronic parts imports to smuggle contaminated plastic waste and other hazardous waste into the country, leading to environmental problems.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30351792

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-09

They should also ban plastic waste here, locals are the worlds worst for plastic waste.

Ohh i have finished with it, just throw it away anywhere will do, over the wall, out of the car window, just throw it.

A good start.

This is GOOD if actually enforced and maintained as a rule and law..... time will tell!

BUT - SERIOUS QUESTION...... maybe ThaiVisa can answer??

 

What about recent articles about tons of e-waste being imported into Thailand since China shut it's doors to the world's e-waste.

This has been reported on recently (last few weeks) but is also very dangerous with many toxic elements that could end up in land-fill or worse being stripped (mined) out somewhere locally without any due care and attention?

We need an update on that!!

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1045067-over-400-containers-of-e-waste-plastic-scrap-at-bangkok-port-to-be-pushed-back/?tab=comments#comment-13117440 

 

Ban single use/throw away plastic altogether. 

12 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Ban single use/throw away plastic altogether. 

On point as usual bp

How will the locals decorate their front yards, gardens, streets, parks etc now??

How are they going to ban the oceans from washing it ashore???

I see it as a missed opportunity for a great business for a Thai company

to take this on.

It's a real shame Somchai and his gang, can't be trusted to protect his workers  and to do the job correctly.  

just imagine what they could charge for this service , with the correct management in place.

Own goal !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Edited August 9, 20187 yr by stanleycoin

Its like they don't have enough of their own plastic waste? This is literally a plastic nation. 

5 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Ban single use/throw away plastic altogether. 

Multi use condoms? 

5 hours ago, TheMacMan said:

This is GOOD if actually enforced and maintained as a rule and law..... time will tell!

BUT - SERIOUS QUESTION...... maybe ThaiVisa can answer??

 

What about recent articles about tons of e-waste being imported into Thailand since China shut it's doors to the world's e-waste.

This has been reported on recently (last few weeks) but is also very dangerous with many toxic elements that could end up in land-fill or worse being stripped (mined) out somewhere locally without any due care and attention?

We need an update on that!!

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1045067-over-400-containers-of-e-waste-plastic-scrap-at-bangkok-port-to-be-pushed-back/?tab=comments#comment-13117440

 

 

Can't you read?

 

11 hours ago, webfact said:

However, earlier this year, it was disclosed that many recycling plants operators were taking advantage of legal loopholes in the regulations dealing with plastic scraps and electronic parts imports to smuggle contaminated plastic waste and other hazardous waste into the country, leading to environmental problems

 

48 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Multi use condoms? 

Sheepskin condoms are biodegradable... however not to everyone’s taste.  

 

Being serious though... 

 

Even I’d make an exception on health grounds. 

Edited August 9, 20187 yr by Bluespunk

6 hours ago, ThaiFelix said:

How will the locals decorate their front yards, gardens, streets, parks etc now??

Old pre-ban plastic bags?????

4 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Sheepskin condoms are biodegradable.

Especially in cold climates.

Furry side in or out? Always confuses me.

Edited August 9, 20187 yr by overherebc

I have no idea on why not just tighten the import rules? 

1 minute ago, Chris Lawrence said:

I have no idea on why not just tighten the import rules? 

That still leaves too much 'wiggle' room.

The recyclers will just have to go fishing for the plastic