Thailand urgently needs to strengthen its e-waste management, before the current problems become insurmountable.
There have been grave concerns over the nation's hazardous waste for decades. But little has been done to resolve the matter. As a result, masses of electronic waste that require special treatment end up being mixed together with household garbage at general landfills, posing the threat of contamination.
Clearly, this is a growing concern in the digital age, as electronic appliances keep proliferating and further aggravating the problem. Worse still, there are reports of e-waste being smuggled into the country periodically to inflame the issue even more.
Figures provided by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and other agencies regarding the waste management gap have set alarm bells ringing about the long-term harm to the environment and people's health, as e-waste such as old computers, mobile phones and batteries contains toxic chemicals and hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium.
The NRCT, which started monitoring e-waste in communities in 2020, found more than 428,000 tonnes has been generated each year, a sharp increase from the previous decade. The agency said disassembly and recycling factories can only process 30-40% of the total e-waste produced. For many, such figures seem overly optimistic -- they suspect the amount of e-waste being treated properly is much lower.
The NRCT, in corporation with the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry, plans to promote a nationwide zero-electronic-waste scheme, a very ambitious move.
Initially, it will begin by funding a research team involving experts from the Centre of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management of Chulalongkorn University, to set up a database for e-waste management. The team will collect information from many parts of the country.
While a database is vital, however, it requires concrete action from related agencies to combat the problem.
The NRCT is without doubt launching a noteworthy initiative, but questions remain as to what exactly other agencies such as the Pollution Control Department (PCD) are doing.
In addition, it is widely known that most local administrative agencies nationwide lack the capability to handle such hazardous waste.
The country is certainly in need of more certified facilities that are able to treat hazardous waste effectively. The authorities must provide more drop-off points where members of the public can dispose of unwanted items without harming the environment.
The PCD has an obligation to play a leading role in tackling e-waste. It needs to adjust its work ethos and map out a strategy and action plan.
The PCD must also seek more cooperation from electronic appliance producers so that they will help ease the state's burden.
It also needs to align itself more closely with other state agencies to ensure they are well-integrated and that all necessary measures are being taken, including the creation or revision of related laws.
The department must see to it that local administrative agencies are better equipped to handle e-waste, while standardised facilities are built or extended.
Last but least, the PCD and other authorities must do more to promote public awareness of the issue so the public can follow the correct guidelines.
