Pornchai Suwanjak has collected trash for eight years.
At dusk, a giant truck takes him and four other staff to a crowded community in Bangkok's Samsen 13. They cart away rubbish from the front of each home to the back of the lorry to sort until midnight. About five months ago, discarded face masks and shields began to pile up.
"It is the largest amount I have ever collected. It is higher than last year. Our team picks up 5-6 tonnes a day," he said.
From his experience, discarded masks and shields have doubled and nearly equalled household junk since the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic began. Moreover, since last month, used antigen test kits have appeared as well. Some community residents mix them up with domestic trash.
"Please sort them out to reduce the risk of infection. A refuse worker working with another truck caught the coronavirus on duty. We double up on face masks and wear gloves for extra protection at our own expense," he said.
According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the amount of contaminated waste has grown from 61.19 tonnes a day in April to 120 tonnes a day in mid-August, which exceeds the incineration capacity of 70 tonnes a day. However, the capital is not alone in facing the spike of contagious trash.
A volunteer loads medical waste into a truck at Wat Saphan in Bangkok. Nicolas Axelrod
Lack of infrastructure
Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Department of Health, said the country's infectious waste has increased by 94% to an average of 294 tonnes/day. With the shortage of staff and vehicles for trash collection, contaminated waste is now piling up in many provinces, including Nonthaburi and Rayong.
"We have issued guidelines to reduce infectious waste in field hospitals, quarantine facilities, and patient waiting centres. For example, we have banned foam containers and water bottles. Patients can use personal cups instead," he said.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, the amount of contaminated waste rose from 212.41 tonnes/day in June to 275.72 tonnes/day in July. It is predicted to climb to 330.87 tonnes/day this month. However, the country's incineration capacity is 278 tonnes/day.
Wirat Manassanitwong, the BMA's director of the Department of Environment, said it has launched a waste-sorting campaign and provided 1,000 orange bins. It is in the process of purchasing at least 5,000 red bins for all communities.
"Orange bins are used for biohazard waste and red bins are used for infectious waste. However, we have used orange bins because there are not enough red bins. We are making a budget request," he said.
Wirat is encouraging waste sorting to reduce the burden of management. Incinerating contaminated waste costs 13,000 baht/tonne while general waste costs 900 baht/tonne. When it comes to capacity, the general waste incinerator is being used to handle infectious waste excess.
"It can burn up to 500 tonnes a day of waste at 1,000C, which can kill germs because infectious waste incinerators normally work at over 700C. However, other provinces that lack incinerators disinfect contaminated waste and dump it into landfills," he said.
Revising incineration laws
Sonthi Kotchawat, an expert at the Thailand Environment Institute, said infectious waste is handled in line with the public health ministerial regulation. It authorises local administrations to manage contaminated waste. However, they are falling behind given the amount of garbage.
"Infectious waste incinerators must operate at 760C and have air pollution control devices but there are not enough facilities. Therefore, public health authorities are approving the use of infectious waste incinerators only. We have no other choice," he said.
According to the environmental expert, the country has only 15 infectious waste incinerators with a total capacity of 150 tonnes a day.
Sonthi drew attention to China and the United States that use community and factory incinerators to treat infectious waste excess. On the contrary, our laws reserve them for community and industrial waste. In the short term, the premier should allow the use of factory incinerators for this job.
"But in the long term, the government should amend rules and set up a single agency to monitor all types of waste," he said.
Sonthi said contaminated waste must be burnt at the proper temperature to reduce environmental impact. While infectious waste incinerators must operate at 760C, community and factory incinerators must work at 850C.
"If it is lower than threshold temperatures, it will release carcinogenic dioxins because infectious waste is made of plastic. Incinerators must meet standards," he said.
If contaminated waste is not incinerated in a week, it must be kept in a room at 10C or less to avoid decay and transmission. Meanwhile, landfilling is discouraged because oxygenless decomposition can produce methane and hydrogen sulfide, which can pollute the environment.
Closing legal loopholes
"Our infectious waste management has been fraught with problems because there is not enough infrastructure. The coronavirus crisis has exacerbated the situation," said Penchom Saetang, the director of the Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (Earth).
"If the government had laid out infrastructure, it would be well prepared for the surge of contaminated waste. Now, local authorities should issue disposal guidelines and red stickers, which is easier than giving red bags. I understand that staff are stretched to the limit," she said.
Penchom said those who dump infectious waste in community or remote areas violate the laws, including the Public Health Act and the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness. If they cause pollution, they break the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act.
"Local residents who are affected can file complaints with the authorities. In case of huge damage, those who want to take legal action can consult lawyers," she said.
However, cases of contaminated waste never rarely reach court. She mentioned the case of an explosion at chemical warehouses in Bangkok's Klong Toey Port and the improper storage of Cobalt-60 in Samut Prakan. In both incidents, plaintiffs managed to receive compensation.
Penchom has proposed that the government enforce waste sorting to reduce the risk of infection. Currently, the Public Health Act and the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness do not include disposal guidelines for community residents to follow.
"If it is not implemented, trash collectors can't take legal action against households that mix up infectious waste with other rubbish. It remains a legal loophole," she said.
A volunteer loads medical waste into a truck at Wat Saphan in Bangkok. Nicolas Axelrod
Guidelines on the disposal of used antigen test kits and face masks for the public
1. Put both in plastic bags and label it "infectious waste".
2. Spray disinfectant and fasten it.
3. Separate it from general waste in a designated waste collection zone.
Source: The Ministry Of Natural Resources And Environment
Guidelines on the disposal of infectious waste for home and community isolation
A. Community with an infectious waste collection system
1. Put infectious waste in the first red bag. Fasten it and spray disinfectant.
2. Put it in the second red bag. Fasten it and spray disinfectant.
3. Place it in a designated waste collection zone.
Contact local administration for collection and treatment.
B. Community without infectious waste collection system
1. Put infectious waste in the first black bag. Pour disinfectant into it. Fasten it and spray disinfectant.
2. Put it in the second black bag. Fasten it and spray disinfectant.
3. Contact local administration for collection and treatment.
Source: The Ministry Of Public Health
