Guidelines for the Management of End-of-Life Refrigerators and Air Conditioners – E-Waste Management

Abstract

Thailand is facing a continuous increase in electronic waste (Electronic Waste; E-waste) due to the growth of the digital economy, rapid technological advancement, and increasing consumer reliance on electronic devices. According to data from the United Nations (UN), the global volume of E-waste in 2022 reached approximately 62 billion kilograms, averaging 7.8 kilograms per capita per year, of which only 22.3% was properly managed. In Thailand, E-waste generation in 2022 exceeds 400,000 tons per year. Improper management of electronic waste results in the loss of valuable resources and poses risks to human health and the environment. Therefore, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been introduced as a policy approach to ensure that producers are responsible for their products throughout the entire product life cycle. However, Thailand still faces limitations in understanding EPR implementation mechanisms, appropriate organizational structures, and data integration among stakeholders. Although there have been efforts to promote the draft Act on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), clearer and more systematic implementation guidelines are still required.

This research aims to examine and test organizational models for managing end-of-life air conditioners and refrigerators, as well as to compile relevant information such as material flows, data flows, and cost structures. The findings are intended to improve stakeholders’ understanding of system operations and contribute to the development of a supply chain model that can be implemented nationwide.

The results show that Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) can be designed in various forms depending on the national context. For Thailand, a multi-PRO system is considered appropriate, as it encourages competition in the efficiency of end-of-life product management and ensures fair competition among stakeholders across the supply chain. In addition, the establishment of a centralized data management entity (Clearing House) is crucial to collect, verify, and exchange data among PROs, producers, collectors, and government agencies, which will lead to transparency, reliability, and effective governance.