Waste separation pilot begins

Waste separation pilot begins

Move to ease recycling process in Bangkok

City Hall will today kick off a pilot project to separate organic waste in three districts of the capital.

"This policy should have been implemented a long time ago as all kinds of household waste is mixed in rubbish bins. If waste can be separated, it will ease the process of reuse and recycling," Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said yesterday.

"We must start from the source of the waste by encouraging people to separate organic waste from the rest. The BMA will have separate containers for wet trash and a process to manage it,'' he said.

The project will be piloted on arranged routes in Nong Khaem, Pathumwan and Phaya Thai districts, covering 1,000 households.

Mr Chadchart said rubbish trucks will have a segment for wet waste which will be used as biofertiliser. Organic waste accounts for about 30-40% of the city's waste each day.

"Everyone should take part in reducing organic waste. We are starting with a small trial before expanding the project to other parts of the city. If successful, it will change the shape of waste collection not only in Bangkok but also the country in the future," he said.

City Hall has set guidelines for waste management at schools, communities, office buildings and some other places, to cultivate self-discipline and an understanding of the value of waste separation.

Chulalongkorn University's Environmental Research Institute also has worked with more than 30 organisations from the private and civil society sectors to draft an operational plan to manage the source of waste in the capital from 2023-2025.

City Hall spends about 10 billion baht of its annual 80 billion baht on refuse collection and disposal, but the sum can be reduced if everyone separates their waste, he said.

The policy was also backed by Pada Vorakanon, Palang Pracharath Party MP for Bangkok. Ms Pada said the party would encourage people to participate in the three districts, particularly Phaya Thai district where there are many offices, hospitals, households, shops and restaurants.

Citing a City Hall report, she said about 8,000 tonnes of rubbish is collected daily. If the organic waste is separated, it can be recycled into fertiliser or fuel, she said.

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