Thailand's Foreign Trade Department is cracking down on dirty deals—literally. Stricter import controls on waste paper are in the works to safeguard public health and protect the environment.

 

Ronnarong Phoolpipat, the Foreign Trade Department's Director-General, revealed that the Commerce Ministry has been swamped with reports from concerned entrepreneurs all year. These tip-offs exposed that imported waste paper is ending up in factories, getting transformed into rolled paper and packaging—often tainted with hazardous materials.

 

A recent ministry inspection uncovered the alarming truth: waste paper shipments were mixed with plastic bottles, foam, plastic bags, aerosol cans, sanitary napkins, masks, medical bags, and hoses. According to Ronnarong, these contaminated imports are flouting new hygiene standards and country-of-origin rules.

 

“These contaminated imports flout new hygiene standards and country-of-origin rules,” said Ronnarong.

 

 

 

 

He warned that things are about to get stricter. Products tainted with waste are classified as municipal waste, banned from import under the Commerce Ministry’s 2019 decree. Importing such toxic mixtures is illegal and poses dual threats to both environmental and public health.

 

Ronnarong hinted at drastic measures, such as bans and stringent import permits, if these violations continue.

 

“Importers, beware! Choose your distributors wisely or risk bringing in banned goods that endanger Thailand’s environment and public health."

 

The department is not taking any chances. Collaborating with various agencies, they are ramping up the scrutiny of imports to ensure Thailand stays clean and green.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-18

 

 

I am wondering how much waste paper Thailand produces every year.. Only immigration with  the millions of copies of everything every year and at banks, and government offices requires multi copies of everything.. And than Thailand stilll important from other countries?? Thailand the hub of paper??

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The department is not taking any chances. Collaborating with various agencies, they are ramping up the scrutiny of imports to ensure Thailand stays clean and green

Are they serious? Clean and green!

Sadly that hasn't been the case for a long time.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A recent ministry inspection uncovered the alarming truth: waste paper shipments were mixed with plastic bottles, foam, plastic bags, aerosol cans, sanitary napkins, masks, medical bags, and hoses. According to Ronnarong, these contaminated imports are flouting new hygiene standards and country-of-origin rules

Inspect it at the ports, if its tainted send it back.