| Author | Kamolwan Daengmanee |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-22-05 |
| Subject(s) | Plastic scrap--Thailand--Management
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Nowadays, the plastic waste problem is a global concern due to its damage to the environment. Asia is a plastic generator of 51% of global plastic production. Moreover, Thailand is the largest petrochemical sector when compared with other countries in Southeast Asia. Those products from this business including plastic resins are imported, and domestically produced plastic products for consumption. After plastics are consumed, plastic waste will cause a problem if the plastics are not properly managed. The suitable management methods are necessary to improve the efficiency of the plastic waste management system. In addition, the focus on plastic waste management in Thailand in this study is to understand the current situation through five landscapes which are supported by several sectors. The related landscapes are the quantitative background information, technology, policy, business model and public awareness tools. Moreover, the information extracted identifies the problems in the current situation, then therefore the improvements are suggested by applying the circular economy. The information received from the secondary data from several related sources. Besides the secondary data, the primary data from interviews and field visit is implemented to fill the gap of lack of information also. The quantitative data demonstrates the increasing amount of plastic in the whole plastic supply chain from production to waste generation. The amount of plastic is divided into plastic resins and plastic products focused on the post-consumer. There are many technologies for disposing of plastic waste in Thailand, both recycling and non-recycling. However, a huge amount of plastic waste which accounted for 75% of total plastic waste entered into the non-recycling technologies. Moreover, most policies that were launched to be measures for guiding the related agencies to follow, but there is no penalty to punish. They are policies for voluntary cooperation only. Most recycling businesses in Thailand are operated by the private sector. In addition, there are public awareness tools to raise awareness by using the media both online and offline platforms. However, it cannot be accessed for everyone. The media that has specific content such as plastic waste content is accessed by people who are interested in only. After understanding the current situation, it can identify the problem and solve it by using three principles from the circular economy which are to design out waste and pollution, to keep products and materials in use, and to regenerate and minimize negative impacts on natural systems. |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Visvanathan, Chettiyappan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Xue, Wenchao;Tatchai Pussayanavin |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |