Technical Proposal: Governing E-waste Management in Thailand

​​​Thailand is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of electrical and electronic equipment. At the same time, domestic consumption and e-waste generation are growing rapidly. An estimated 753,000 tonnes of e-waste are generated annually, yet less than 10 per cent currently enters formal treatment systems. Most e-waste is collected through informal networks, creating significant environmental, health and resource recovery challenges. 

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with the Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA), developed this technical proposal under the project Creating a Circular Economy for Electronics and Electricals in Thailand and Mongolia. The project supports both countries in developing robust policy and regulatory frameworks for the environmentally sound management of e-waste and the transition towards a circular economy. 

Drawing on extensive consultations with government agencies, industry representatives and other stakeholders, the report provides recommendations to support the implementation of Thailand’s draft Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Management Act and the development of a sustainable Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.​

The publication proposes a modern, market-based approach to e-waste governance, focusing on:​

1. Strong legal framework: Strengthen the draft WEEE Management Act through comprehensive product coverage, improved industry repres​entation and stronger incentives for reuse and eco-design. 

2. Efficient administration: Establish sector-specific Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), create a national clearing house, and leverage Thailand’s digital government infrastructure for compliance and reporting. 

3. Sustainable financing: Introduce a net-cost recovery EPR model in which​ producer fees finance collection, treatment, and recycling activities based on products placed on the market. 

4. Phased implementation: Develop the institutional, financial and digital systems required to scale a nationwide EPR framework over time. 

By combining regulatory reform, digital innovation and industry participation, Thailand has an opportunity to build an efficient e-waste management system that addresses environmental impacts, strengthens resource recovery, and supports its circular economy ambitions.