Thailand to ban imports of plastic scrap within 5 years
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has refuted reports that Thailand is an international dumping ground for plastic waste, saying importation of plastic scrap will be banned within 5 years.
PCD director-general Athapol Charoenshunsa insisted on Wednesday that the government had no policy of importing plastic waste.
"We have urged the Thai Customs Department and related authorities to return containers of plastic waste to their country of origin," he said.
However, Athapol conceded that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry allows imports of plastic scrap to feed the industrial sector, with 150,807 tonnes shipped last year and 44,307 tonnes from January to April this year. But he said importation is gradually being reduced to zero, while the government is now actively promoting domestic recycling of plastic waste.
"Both government and private agencies are campaigning for people to sort their plastic waste in line with the country's recycling efforts," said the PCD chief.
Thailand had also banned importation of electronic waste in September last year, penalising violators with fines and imprisonment, Athapol noted.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is now preparing a draft act on management of waste from electric appliances and electronic devices, he added.