Evaluation of Plastic Waste Management in Thailand Using Material ...

11. A simple revenue-expenditure analysis of each scenario was also conducted to
present the cost-benefit implications. The scenario 1 estimated a 7.82 trillion Baht
of expenditure to be spent in collection and disposal of plastic waste generated in
the year 2016. The expenditures of the scenario 2 and scenario 3 will be 5.4 and 11
trillion Baht respectively. The revenue gain from the sale of recycled products
(materials and energy), waste collection fees, was also estimated. The highest
potential revenue in the scenario 3 was the highest, amounting 8,346 million Baht
in 2016. While, the increase in recycling rate by 30% will make private sectors in
scenario 2 gain 6,162 million Baht of revenue. Finally, the revenue of the scenario
1 will be 2,554 million Baht in 2016.
12. Level of public awareness and public opinion on the elements of proposed
scenarios were also explored as one of the factors to evaluate the success of plastic
waste management scenarios. Out of 125 respondents, only 12.8% were positive on
the plastic bag charge in department stores and minimarts. Approximately 90.4%
and 88% of 125 samples showed their approval to use the biodegradable and
recycled plastics respectively. 60% of the respondents were positive about
promotion and development of waste to energy schemes as one of the management
options to tackle plastic waste. When asked about the ban over use of plastic bags
over 45% agreed to it.
13. Many relevant stakeholders (government, semi-government, private sector, NGOs,
and their network, etc.) were identified. Stakeholders like waste generators, waste
collectors, waste shops, waste recyclers, government organizations, private sector
organizations and public-private partnership institutions and their level of
importance and influence was evaluated in order to understand each of their roles
and stakes in designing a successful plastic waste management system. It was
observed that both mandatory and voluntary involvement of these relevant
stakeholders is required to achieve the goal of better plastic waste management in
Thailand.
The above conclusions and recommendations are drawn from author’s familiarization of
the issues on plastic waste, field observation, interactions and discussions with key
stakeholders, and the key processes of plastic waste management (with specific attention to
plastic waste recycling processes). The recommendations are addressed to all relevant
actors that have stake in plastic waste generation and management, including policy
makers, plastic manufacturers, plastic waste management/recycling industries,
environmental organizations etc.
5.2 Recommendations for Future Work
Plastic waste management is an extensive process. It therefore requires further research in
order to understand the subject matter in better ways with more accurate and reliable data.
Following are few of the areas scoped for future research:
1. A detailed technology assessment of the available plastic waste recycling
technologies in Thailand can give the actual picture of the recycling capacity. This
study can further support whether the scenario 2 proposed in this study (i.e.,
increasing recycling rate to 30%) will be possible or not from the technology point
of view. Such study can provide the options for best available technology (BAT) or
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