New legislation became effective on January 1, but there is still work to be done.
Thailand’s long-standing campaign against becoming a dumping ground for international plastic waste reached a major step when a law banning the import of cheap pieces into the nation became effective on January 1.
However, this does not indicate a clear success, nor is it a happy ending just however.
To stop the importation of illegal plastic waste into the land, it is necessary to maintain a tracking system and carry out effective law enforcement.
The Anti-Plastic Scrap Citizen Network’s producer, Penchom Sae-Tang, who played a significant role in the campaign against plastic waste imports, thanked them for their time and effort to turn advocacy into action.
The show’s work began in 2021 with a complaint to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, urging the government to impose a moratorium on plastic waste goods.
108 civil society organizations and 32, 000 people signed an online petition on Change, which gained a lot of help for the activity. which aided in the advancement of the action.
After the government approved the transfer of plastic waste in 2018 to allegedly support the plastic recycling business, Ms. Penchom claimed Thailand has become a world place for cheap spend dumping.
Between 2018 and 2021, the Department of Customs reported that more than 1.1 million tons of plastic piece were imported.
This flow, she said, disrupted the nearby waste management pattern and harmed small-scale spend collectors, who protested against the policy due to significant business losses.
Additionally, Ms. Penchom claimed that subpar law enforcement had led to the entry of poisoned and unlawful waste, which in turn caused pollution in neighborhoods close to plastic recycling plants, and sparked numerous public complaints.
The import ban on all cheap waste products should be seen as a success for civil community in preventing toxic waste from entering Thailand, she said.
” But, our job is far from over.
Vigilant tracking and effective cooperation with government are essential to ensuring the law is upheld for the good of all.
The position will be monitored by Ms. Penchom, who added.
She added that the Ministry of Industry must use caution when allowing any imports of cheap scrap in unusual circumstances, making sure that the quantities are completely proportionate to the recycling plant production capacity to prevent excessive waste.
” This is just the start of a fresh chapter.
” Law enforcement may play a key role in safeguarding the atmosphere for everyone”, she stressed.
Pollution from plastic waste recycling facilities has had a significant impact on local communities ‘ lives and the happiness of those who live close to farms or rivers and ditches, according to Ms. Penchom.
The Ministry of Commerce announced a total ban on plastic waste goods in December next year, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
However, the news included a clause that allows the Department of Industrial Works to impose import restrictions if private plastic scrap supplies are lacking.
In 2023, the state permitted the lawful transfer of 372, 994 kilograms of plastic pieces, limited to 14 designated business areas.
This amount was reduced by half in 2024 as a result of public support and the president’s preparations for a total ban.
Penchom: Proud to the system
The authorities should enact a ban on all types of plastic waste, according to Phicha Rakrod, the project leader of Greenpeace Thailand, to ensure that the country is free of intergovernmental spend shipments.
She also demanded that Thailand take advantage of this opportunity to become a regional leader in the fight against and regulation of intergovernmental spend.
Phicha: Govt may increase the ban