Bangkok to Revamp Rubbish Fees, Push for Sorting by June

[webfact]

File photo: Wikipedia

 

In a landmark move to tackle the mounting waste problem in Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to revise its garbage collection fees by June next year. This initiative is designed to incentivise residents to sort their waste, a crucial step toward more effective waste management.

 

On October 30, the city council made a decisive move by approving a new draft ordinance concerning garbage collection fees. With a unanimous vote of 34-0, as reported by Deputy Governor Jakkapan Phiewngam, the ordinance is poised to replace the existing flat rate once it's published in the Royal Gazette, set to become effective in 180 days.

 

The current flat rate of 80 baht per household, seen as inequitable by the administration, will be scrapped in favour of a more nuanced fee structure. "It’s not just about collecting fees, but encouraging households to take responsibility for their waste," noted Jakkapan.

 

Under the proposed system, households generating less than 20 litres or four kilogrammes of waste daily will be charged 20 baht monthly if they sort their rubbish. Those choosing not to sort will face a steeper monthly fee of 60 baht.

 

For households producing between 20 litres and one cubic metre or 200kg of waste daily, the fee will be 120 baht per 20 litres each month. However, the heavy producers, generating over one cubic metre or 200kg, will incur costs of 8,000 baht per cubic metre.

The administration is setting up a framework for households to follow, promoting the benefits of waste separation. Jakkapan emphasises, "Understanding how to sort waste will empower residents, potentially cutting down their fees."

 

Participation requires registration through the BKK Waste Pay mobile application or at local district offices, where residents can document their waste management practices for validation and eligibility for the reduced rates.

 

In addition, the BMA is investigating other registration methods, including via rubbish collection personnel and their official website, ensuring accessibility for all residents.

 

This initiative marks a significant shift in Bangkok's approach to waste management, placing the responsibility on residents to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable city.

 

By engaging citizens directly and making the financial implications of their waste habits clear, the BMA hopes to build a more environmentally conscious community while tackling the city's escalating waste problem, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-27

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Maybe very Thai city should do the same.

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Under the proposed system, households generating less than 20 litres or four kilogrammes of waste daily will be charged 20 baht monthly if they sort their rubbish. Those choosing not to sort will face a steeper monthly fee of 60 baht.

 

For households producing between 20 litres and one cubic metre or 200kg of waste daily, the fee will be 120 baht per 20 litres each month. However, the heavy producers, generating over one cubic metre or 200kg, will incur costs of 8,000 baht per cubic metre.

 

I cannot believe that this will ever work.

Then we have the money collectors who give the householder a receipt, but give the Tessabaan a receipt for a lower value (that happens here).

And what about the 'recycling foragers'? What will they do for a living?

On guy used to work for me (12,000 baht per month), he left to earn more money (and flexible hours) by going through rubbish bins.

Edited Wednesday at 01:42 AM by Tropicalevo

[khunjeff]

How exactly will sorting work? They currently only send a single garbage truck and everything goes into it (after the trash guys have sorted it by the roadside and removed anything they can resell). Will they buy a whole new fleet of trucks to collect recyclables?

[RichardColeman]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"Understanding how to sort waste will empower residents, potentially cutting down their fees."

Don't get it, rubbish is free money ! Take it home, sell it ! We save it for 2 months - even take the neighbours recyclables and daughters shop rubbish, boxes from Tops/Big C  - and sell it. Free 1,200 baht. I'm not a skin flint and we have like 3 houses and rubber plantation etc and hit the 65k we need per month, but hell, its FREE money ! Do, this and your basic rubbish bin is maybe one bin a week

[black tabby12345]

I have seen sorting waste bins at Thai airports.

But unsure if it works in Thai town.

Unsorted garbage bag is the source of revenues to the urban scavengers.

Every time they spot these things, they come to check out if there is anything they can collect(cans, bottles, plastics, and cardboard boxes)  and sell to the recyclers.

These people may not be happy with this proposal; losing their livelihood.

[mran66]

Too complicated for thai people. Will see messed up sorting places and a lot more rubbish along the road sides 

[lordgrinz]

Already ahead of them, the workers who do the upkeep in our community collect the recyclables from us weekly, and are happy to do so.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

More Green Agenda 2030 nonsense. Top down nonsense.

 

The recycling ladies on bikes do a fine job already. No need to mess with a system that already works very nicely.

[black tabby12345]

6 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

The recycling ladies on bikes do a fine job already. No need to mess with a system that already works very nicely.

 

It is also functioning as the first and last Social Safety Net to those at the bottom of the society.

 

Being old, not employable, no one to rely on, sometimes not even a roof over the head.

 

To such people, scavenging  is the  only available self-employed job with minimal start-up cost.

 

They only have to have a couple of big plastic bags for their catch.

As well as the knowledge where they can sell what they collect.

 

Edited 22 hours ago by black tabby12345

[NoDisplayName]

On 11/27/2024 at 7:27 AM, webfact said:

designed to incentivise residents to sort their waste, a crucial step toward more effective waste management

 

My prediction:  Residents will be required to sort into three types of waste.  Industrious policemen may check outside trash containers for compliance if thirsty.  Fines for non-compliance will be introduced.

 

With refuse sorted into three containers, Bangkok will need to purchase two additional fleets of garbage scows, as present vehicles do not have sorting abilities.  This will require studies, commissions, junkets, and then further studies before purchase.

 

Metro trash collection will now have three fleets of large, noisy and stinky vehicles clogging up the sois.  Three times the pollution, three times the maintenance, three times the employees, three times the congestion.

 

In about a year, some enterprising journalist will investigate to find that all three trucks dump their contents into the same pile at the collection center.

 

Hub of waste!

[NoDisplayName]

6 hours ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

More Green Agenda 2030 nonsense. Top down nonsense.

 

The recycling ladies on bikes do a fine job already. No need to mess with a system that already works very nicely.

 

We collect our cardboard and plastic in separate bags, set them outside once a week.

 

Gone in twenny minutes.

 

If it works, fix it.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

20 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

It is also functioning as the first and last Social Safety Net to those at the bottom of the society.

 

Being old, not employable, no one to rely on, sometimes not even a roof over the head.

 

To such people, scavenging  is the  only available self-employed job with minimal start-up cost.

 

They only have to have a couple of big plastic bags for their catch.

As well as the knowledge where they can sell what they collect.

I lived 4 years in Vietnam where this activity was a VITAL part of the society.  The recycling ladies on bicycles more often had bigger smiles than many other people... knowing they will not freeze to death, knowing that even though they are unemployable, no family, no governmental safety net, maybe not even a roof over their head, they could still eat and survive.

 

This could not be done in the USA / Canada / UK etc...

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

20 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

If it works, fix it.

No doubt about it, Thailand is feeling the pressure from the Green Loonies at the W-E -F and I-M-F.  No other way to explain it. Their b@lls are being twisted. And who pays the price? Of course the little people at the bottom.