Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Bangkok has implemented a new waste management policy, raising fees for households that do not sort their trash while providing incentives for those who do. As of October 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has increased the waste collection fee from 20 baht to 60 baht per month. However, participants in the "This House Doesn’t Mix" waste separation scheme will continue paying the original fee of 20 baht.

 

The fee increase, announced by Deputy Bangkok Governor Chakkaphan Phewngam, is part of the 2025 Bangkok Ordinance on waste management under the Public Health Act, aimed at covering rising operational costs. Households can qualify for the lower fee by registering with the BKK WASTE PAY platform and demonstrating that their rubbish is sorted into four categories. Failure to comply after three warnings will result in paying the full fee for at least six months.

 

Residents can apply through district officials and are subject to random inspections to ensure compliance. In cases of non-compliance, a warning and suspension process will be followed. On September 29, Chakkaphan highlighted the Mahanak Mosque Community in Pomprap Sattruphai district as a successful model for the scheme. This community of over 900 residents across 353 households began sorting waste earlier this year and has maintained the discounted rate.

 

The initiative has seen strong participation, with over 710,000 households registered by September 26. This includes 278,178 single homes and 432,608 units from group registrations like condominiums and housing estates, as reported by the Bangkok Post. The policy is not only a financial measure but also aims to foster a sense of responsibility among Bangkok's residents. The city generates over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, and officials hope this approach will encourage a cultural shift in waste management practices.

 

Key Takeaways

• Bangkok has raised waste fees to 60 baht but offers incentives for sorted trash.
• Over 710,000 households have registered for the waste separation scheme.
• Increased fees aim to manage costs and promote responsible waste handling.

 

Related Stories

Bangkok Launches Ambitious Waste Reform Initiative

Phuket Drowning in Rubbish as Daily Waste Tops 1,200 Tons

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-01

 

 

Ever seen the bin men doing their job at 3am ???

 

In our moo-baan we have segregated waste - all very modern and virtue signalling gold !!... right up until we see the bin lorry's do their rounds and the bin-men but the green the red and the yellow bins all in the same lorry... 

 

 

14 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Ever seen the bin men doing their job at 3am ???

 

In our moo-baan we have segregated waste - all very modern and virtue signalling gold !!... right up until we see the bin lorry's do their rounds and the bin-men but the green the red and the yellow bins all in the same lorry... 

 

 

Yeah, they sort it at the depot.

Nothing they can make money from is wasted.

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Yeah, they sort it at the depot.

Nothing they can make money from is wasted.

 

Agreed....   and its a good way of dealing with it...   if gives ppl work....

 

 

The alternative - we sort everything out into...

- Green Bin  (garden refuse)

- Purple Bin (recyclable plastics)

- Black Bin (regular rubbish)

- Blue Bag (Cardboard)

- Black Box (glass and bottles)

 

Then... once we are brain washed into that, we go from one collection per week to once ever two weeks, and then we have to wash all rubbish so flies don't lay eggs in it in the warm months...   and then get fined if we have too much rubbish, so we have to take it to the recycling centre....

Then the bin men go on strike because they want to work 30 hour weeks and demand the same money a junior doctor earns... 

 

And for the privilege of all that - we pay tax so some lazy flucker can sit at home claiming benefits due to an RSI X-Box thumb injury... 

 

 

There's balance somewhere...   and as you mentioned Brit - having someone 'working' is that balance, where people can sort through this rubbish... 'job creation' if you will and I'd rather pay service fee's for people prepared to work than tax for someone who wants to sit at home while I (or my parents / family etc) face more inconvenience... 

 

(rant over !!!)

It's 100 baht per can a month were I live.  Chombeung Ratchaburi.  No sorting required.  But I do put the cardboard out separate.  Also a bag with glass, plastic and aluminum in it.

It seems everywhere I have lived in Bangkok I have had to deal with late night sorting noises of the bottles being thrown and men grunting at each other as they do it.  (Note:  The two are connected not seperate problems.) 

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Agreed....   and its a good way of dealing with it...   if gives ppl work....

 

 

The alternative - we sort everything out into...

- Green Bin  (garden refuse)

- Purple Bin (recyclable plastics)

- Black Bin (regular rubbish)

- Blue Bag (Cardboard)

- Black Box (glass and bottles)

 

Then... once we are brain washed into that, we go from one collection per week to once ever two weeks, and then we have to wash all rubbish so flies don't lay eggs in it in the warm months...   and then get fined if we have too much rubbish, so we have to take it to the recycling centre....

Then the bin men go on strike because they want to work 30 hour weeks and demand the same money a junior doctor earns... 

 

And for the privilege of all that - we pay tax so some lazy flucker can sit at home claiming benefits due to an RSI X-Box thumb injury... 

 

 

There's balance somewhere...   and as you mentioned Brit - having someone 'working' is that balance, where people can sort through this rubbish... 'job creation' if you will and I'd rather pay service fee's for people prepared to work than tax for someone who wants to sit at home while I (or my parents / family etc) face more inconvenience... 

 

(rant over !!!)

UK I believe?

Getting worse all the time.