Sustainable Waste Management under Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country, B.E. 2560

Abstract

                Thailand faces a waste problem. It is likely that the amount of waste will rapidly increase but the ability to manage that waste will not be able to keep up. An important factor in the failure of sustainable waste management is the lack of unity of legal measures concerning waste management, in particularly, there are lack of waste facilities leading to inefficient waste management, and lack of major public participation on this issue. For instance, there are neither waste reduction campaigns nor waste sorting. Consequently, the amount of waste exceeds the capacity for waste disposal. At present, the level of public participation is considered remarkably low.

                Research on legal measures for Sustainable Waste Management under the “Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country”, B.E. 2560, found that while there are regulations about waste collection, waste transportation, and waste utilization, there are some conflicts of regulation with the “Public Health Act”, B.E. 2535. This may cause confusion with the people and with the waste management workers. Therefore, clear waste management rules are necessary with respect to waste collection, waste transportation, waste sorting, and waste utilization. Such regulations will help to create efficient and sustainable waste management.