Four-point plan set to improve disposal of industrial waste

Legal proceedings against improper disposal of industrial waste will be more severe, such as higher fines and more severe jail terms. Waste-disposal trucks will be monitored and regulated.
The ratio of factories to waste disposal facilities in Thailand is currently 40:1. The DIW is trying to allocate six sites for industrial-waste disposal to ensure adequate facilities nationwide to meet future needs.
The DIW is working with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation to develop advanced waste incinerators with the capacity to dispose of 500 tonnes of waste per day for five years, at a cost of more than Bt2 billion. If successful, this project is expected to contribute between Bt5 billion and Bt10 billion a year in waste-disposal business to factory operators and the Thai public.
Pasu Loharjun, director-general of the DIW, said non-tariff barriers in the form of safety and environmental standards were now being used by producer nations. Hence it is necessary for Thailand to upgrade its factories to meet international standards.
The DIW’s four strategies to upgrade Thai factories are as follows.
First, ensure that factory operators comply with the proper procedures for treating and disposing of industrial waste. More than 90 per cent currently are failing to do this.
Second, foster cooperation and provide incentives for factories to comply with proper waste-disposal procedures and provide 10 sites nationwide to recycle industrial waste that can be converted into energy.
Third, use the Global Positioning System to track waste-disposal trucks that fail to use designated dumpsites.
Finally, impose more severe penalties to deal with violators who pollute and/or dispose of industrial waste improperly.