1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

The role of the formal and informal sectors in solid waste management : a case study of recycling activities in Phitsanulok, Thailand

AuthorSuchada Pichonsajja
Call NumberAIT Thesis no. EV-02-26
Subject(s)Salvage (Waste, etc.)--Thailand--Phitsanulok
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. EV-02-26
AbstractRecyclables materials in the Municipality of Phitsanulok have been divided into five categories in the study: (1) paper and cardboard, (2) glass, (3) plastic, (4) ferrous metal, and (5) non-ferrous metal. The material recycling activities have done by formal and informal sectors. Formal sector consists of 11 registered recycling firms in the city, while the informal compromises 5 unregistered firms, around 200 tricyclists, pick-up traders, 46 collection crews, street scavengers, and 32 landfill scavengers. Twenty-five from 41 builtup communities have been participated in the community-based recycling activities. The total annual tonnage ofrecyclables at the recycling firms was estimated at 17,000 tons. The quantities of recyclables collected and sold by the informal sectors were 3,700 tons/year. The recycling activities by households so1ied 526 tons/year of recyclables before discarding. Sanitary landfill scavengers could reduce the wastes before dumping at around 18 tons/year or 0.06% of total wastes. The recycling activities of the formal and informal sectors reduce 37% of total discarded materials; therefore, the activities play an important role in the expansion of landfill lifetime. The activities have done through the linkage between the sectors and the community with the support of the Phitsanulok Municipality in community-based recycling programmes, such as the Recyclable Waste Banks. However, the recycling system in the city should be improved in both economic and technical aspects in order to enhance the recycling rate. The empowerment of the recycling firms, the increasing of awareness arising programme, and the using of legislative measures and packaging tax should be considered. Moreover, separation technique, and market mechanism should be introduced into the community for more effective of the recycling activities.
Year2002
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-02-26
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC))
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering and Management (EV)
Chairperson(s)Trankler, Josef
Examination Committee(s)Preeda Parkpian ;Zimmermann, Willi
Scholarship Donor(s)Royal Thai Government Fellowship
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.). - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002


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