Country Status
In 2022, Thailand ranked as the second highest e-waste generator in South-Eastern Asia. Thailand generated 753 million kilograms of e-waste, with a per capita generation of 10,5 kilograms of e-waste. One of Thailand's key policy initiatives addressing the e-waste challenge is the
National E-waste Management Plan, launched in 2018 by the Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The plan aims to establish a more sustainable and effective system for managing e-waste in the country. To achieve this goal, it outlines a series of strategies and actions that focus on reducing e-waste generation, promoting recycling and proper disposal, and improving overall management practices. In 2021, the
Strategic Plan on Integrated E-waste Management in Thailand (2022-2026) was launched to follow up on the
2018 National E-waste Management Plan. The latter establishes a long-term framework for the management of e-waste in Thailand, while the former aims to achieve short- and medium-term goals by 2026. One key challenge facing e-waste management in Thailand is the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework. While regulations exist for hazardous and solid waste management, there is currently no specific regulation governing e-waste management. A draft WEEE Act developed by the Pollution Control Department (PCD) based on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) principle is currently being revised following consultation with national stakeholders, including producers. However, in the absence of a consensus on the draft act, e-waste management continues to suffer from a fragmented approach, with different agencies being responsible for different management aspects. Another challenge is the prevalence of the informal sector, which plays a significant role in e-waste recycling in Thailand. While informal recyclers provide an important service, they often work in unsafe conditions and without proper training or equipment.
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E-waste Generated (million kg):
753
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E-waste Generated (kg per capita):
10,5
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E-waste Documented as Formally Collected and Recycled:
29
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E-waste Policy, Legislation or Regulation:
No
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EPR on E-Waste:
No
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Collection target inplace: No
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Recycling target in place: No
ITU and E-waste in Thailand
ITU is providing support to the Government of Thailand to foster stakeholder coordination and the alignment of vision among stakeholders to support the preparation of a holistic law on e-waste management. The support focuses on documenting the best legal, financing, and administrative arrangements for the creation of a circular economy for electronics in Thailand.
