Crime Stricter Controls on Paper Waste Imports Amid Surge in Smuggling

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Enquirer.

 

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has announced the implementation of more stringent regulations on the import of paper waste, in response to a rise in smuggled shipments containing prohibited and hazardous materials.

 

The move follows widespread violations involving shipping containers falsely declared as recyclable paper, but later discovered to be filled with a variety of banned waste materials including plastics, rubber, textiles, glass, metals, food scraps, broken furniture, and even medical waste. Such contaminated shipments are classified as municipal waste, which has been explicitly banned from import under the Ministry of Commerce’s 2019 regulations.

 

While the domestic paper production primarily caters to local consumption and export packaging needs, the country faces an ongoing shortage of raw materials for its recycling sector. In particular, the absence of long-fibre pulp, commonly sourced from pine wood in foreign markets, has made the import of used paper and cardboard essential.

 

However, the influx of contaminated imports has raised serious environmental concerns. In 2024 alone, the PCD, in collaboration with the Customs Department and the Department of Industrial Works, intercepted numerous shipments that violated existing waste import laws.

 

In response, the PCD has established a special task force comprising representatives from key government agencies and the recycling industry. The group’s mandate is to enforce clearer standards for allowable levels of contamination in imported paper waste.

 

The newly announced “Criteria for Contaminant Levels in Imported Paper Waste” prohibit the presence of hazardous chemicals, radioactive substances, infectious materials, and toxic community waste entirely. Acceptable contamination levels have also been sharply restricted , with plastic, metal, glass, synthetic materials, wood, and soil limited to no more than 2% in sorted paper waste and 3% in mixed paper waste. These benchmarks are in line with the European Union’s environmental standards.

 

A PCD spokesperson stated that the revised rules aim to support the country’s circular economy goals while ensuring better protection for the environment and public health. The department emphasised that importers found breaching the new regulations could face severe penalties.

 

Authorities say the crackdown marks a turning point in tackling the illegal trade of waste materials and safeguarding the integrity of the country’s recycling sector.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from The Enquirer 2025-05-18.

 

 

 

[ozz1]

I don't understand why they import waste they make enough of their own money money

[FlorC]

2 hours ago, ozz1 said:

I don't understand why they import waste they make enough of their own money money

While the domestic paper production primarily caters to local consumption and export packaging needs, the country faces an ongoing shortage of raw materials for its recycling sector. In particular, the absence of long-fibre pulp, commonly sourced from pine wood in foreign markets, has made the import of used paper and cardboard essential.

[FlorC]

I throw away so many boxes from lazada.