Phuket Unveils Bold Plan to Slash Food Waste

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Phuket has embarked on a remarkable mission to reduce food waste by 15 tonnes daily as part of its commitment to becoming a low-carbon holiday destination. This ambitious initiative is crucial given the island's emerging waste management challenges driven by a booming tourism sector.

 

Janthima Duangsai, the director of the Environmental and Pollution Control Office within the Pollution Control Department, shed light on the current scenario.

 

Phuket, bustling with approximately 1,000 tonnes of waste daily, faces pressure from the rising influx of visitors and expanding businesses. From January to September this year alone, the island has already welcomed about nine million tourists, with numbers expected to climb.

 

The enormity of the situation cannot be overstated, especially with food waste constituting a staggering 50% of daily disposables.

 

This is not merely a logistical conundrum but also a technical one, as the high moisture content of food waste significantly compromises the efficiency of the island’s sole waste incinerator. Currently operating at a capacity of 700 tonnes per day, the incinerator is struggling to cope.

 

A comprehensive study identified fresh markets as the primary culprits in food waste generation. They were closely followed by hotels, large retail establishments, hospitals, restaurants, educational institutions, and households. Waste production also tends to peak during vacations compared to regular weekdays.

 

In response, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has allocated funds from the Environmental Fund for a cutting-edge project, set to continue until April next year. Initial attention will be on the districts of Muang, Kathu, and Thalang.

 

Authorities plan to conduct detailed surveys, develop a digital platform for efficient food waste management, and promote redistribution and repurposing of surplus food. Public awareness campaigns alongside monitoring activities will also be integral to the project’s success, explained Ms Duangsai.

 

Last year, this vision commenced with a Memorandum of Understanding among 17 public and private bodies, forming a project management committee charged with championing waste reduction strategies.

 

This comprehensive plan is not just about infrastructure improvements. Thiraphong Chuaychu, Phuket’s deputy governor, announced that in line with these efforts, a second and potentially third incinerator is under consideration, courtesy of funding from the Ministry of Interior, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Adding to this, plans are afoot to transform food waste into fertiliser, recycle used cooking oil for biofuel purposes, and convert other waste into saleable goods. “Collaboration across sectors is paramount,” Mr Chuaychu asserted, “to curb the volume of waste and bolster Phuket’s reputation as a sustainable, eco-friendly locale.”

 

Visitors and residents alike are now being called upon to engage in this transformative effort, ensuring that Phuket not only remains a paradise for tourists but also emerges as a global leader in environmental stewardship.

 

-- 2024-12-02

 

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket has embarked on a remarkable mission to reduce food waste by 15 tonnes daily as part of its commitment to becoming a low-carbon holiday destination

Nice idea... in reality best of luck

[jcmj]

global leader in environmental stewardship 🤣😂

Not even close!

They could feed the homeless or send it to the less fortunate people, open up a cheap store to sell quickly before it’s completely bad. Feed for animals  so many options but they won’t do it . Too much effort. Maybe a good time for dumpster diving. They should be fined according to the amount of waste, but that requires someone to check daily. I don’t see much changing, but good luck. 

[john donson]

they don't have pig or chicken farms?

 

or plain poor people ?

 

i went to villa before , for almost but still good by sell date products with discount, yes, I am poor (not like you all here) and like to save on things like milk or yoghurt... just put in freezer, but they don't do that anymore...  they lose nothing , it is the producer that loses... many times in tops, almost sell date, in separate corner for those items, then no yellow label and asking people working there, no interest in putting it on...

[sikishrory]

Phuket already has a couple of things for this. 

https://www.scholarsofsustenance.org/sos-thailand

I have donated food in the past to an orphanage and also the disabled place in Phuket Town regularly welcomes food donations I believe.

[kingstonkid]

One suggestion would be to have dedicated trucks that go to the markets around closing time and collect the food not sold.  Give vouchers to the sellers and then use the food for the poor and elderly.  The other thing they need to do not just in Phket but everywhere in Thailand is to get the seperate containers and have recycled items picked up or depeosited in the spereate containers.  This would allow for easier dumpster diving for the many that wade into my garbage looking for bottles or plastic.  It would also cut down on the amount of plastic that goes to the dump withnormal garbage.