Transforming waste into sustainable raw materials
Thailand generated about 37 million tonnes of waste last year, of which 3 million tonnes were hazardous waste.
To reduce waste, a collaborative research and development agreement was signed by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the National Science and Technology Development Agency, and the Department of Industrial Works. This initiative aims to reduce waste.
FTI president Kriengkrai Thiennukul said Thailand needs to enhance its competitive edge in three ways:
Investing in emerging high-tech industries.
Preparing for an ageing society that could see the country’s population fall from 75 million to 33 million by 2075.
Adapting to the new global trade rules that align with environmental, social, and governance principles.
All industries, including waste generators, transporters, and processors, need to adopt the circular economy approach to deal with these changes. A Circular Material Hub was established to exchange and reuse waste or unused materials to create new value and job opportunities. This transformation aims to turn waste from one industry into raw material for another.
The effort to eliminate waste in Thailand involves the entire supply chain. It aims to:
Add value to industrial waste.
Participate in research and development to enhance the value of industrial waste for new product development and support a low-carbon and sustainable society.
Developing standards and regulations to promote the beneficial use of waste.
The private sector must comply with government regulations to support these initiatives. The certification and standardisation process plays a crucial role in encouraging everyone to participate in the circular economy. Furthermore, a change in mindset is required. Instead of perceiving waste as discarded material, it should be recognised as having the potential to create value and economic development, Kriengkrai said.
The industrial sector generates waste, but waste can be turned into value with proper management. This approach can reduce waste, generate profits and lead to sustainable development, Kriengkrai said.
