Environment Ministry launches “Thailand Without E-Waste”

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Responding to growing environmental detriment resulting from electronic waste, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has joined forces with the private sector and networks to introduce the “Thailand Without E-Waste” program.

 

The program was initiated by AIS, which positioned E-Waste receptacles at various locations including its service centers, department stores and post offices, in total covering 2,300 locations across the nation.

 

The receptacles allow members of the public to dispose of mobile phones, charging cords, headphones, phone batteries, power banks and other electronic waste so that they can then be entered into a Zero Landfill process and recycled back into the value chain. The program has been underway for two years now.

 

Now, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has signed an agreement with AIS to join its network and make Thailand Without E-Waste, part of the national agenda, expanding the number of receptacles into ministry offices nationwide and tapping village environmental volunteers to communicate the campaign to the wider public.

 

Thailand generates 400,000 tons of E-Waste annually but collects only 500 tons. Over the two years the program has existed, it has collected and properly disposed of over 6.3 tons of E-Waste with the help of specialized companies. It has also grown a network of public and private agencies as well as educational institutions, to oversee the scheme.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2020-12-17

 

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So, out of 400,000 tons of e-waste annually, they collect 500 tons (0.125%). Of that 500 tons they have properly disposed of 6.3 tons (1.26%).

 

This means that 0.0016% of all the annual e-waste has been properly disposed of. I'd have thought that was something they'd keep very quiet about rather than issuing a press release.