Several important meetings/developments have taken place in recent weeks highlighting the challenges, and progress, as key stakeholders prepare to refine our approach, namely with the drafting of a new “Zero Waste” policy and strategy.
Earlier this month, representatives from the Phuket incinerator and landfill facilities, the Phuket Environmental Foundation (whose office is at the incinerator), SEEK Foundation, Asia Pacific Environment Network, Phuket City Municipality and various other stakeholders convened at the Prince of Songkhla University (PSU) Phuket Campus to discuss the island’s path in moving forward.
Among the highlights of the meeting was a presentation given by Ms Pattaraporn Wangbua of PSU Phuket’s Faculty of Technology and Environment, who shared the findings from her research project dubbed “Evaluation of the local capacity in solid waste management at source, Phuket case study”.
Ms Pattaraporn highlighted inconsistencies and other issues perceived at 19 Local Administration Organisations (LAOs) throughout the island, namely illegal dumping, personal attitudes, habits and awareness, or lack thereof.
And despite there being dozens of Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) centres established across the island, the efforts have not been enough to keep up with growth.
And so was born the next and perhaps best scheme in elevating and
evolving the island.
Though recycling initiatives have continued to improve over the years, sorting and separating is still extremely inadequate, particularly between dry and wet, organic waste, the latter of which makes up more than half of the waste sent to Phuket’s landfill and incinerator.
The new strategy is not just about remembering to recycle here and there, or asking shoppers to use cloth bags, but rather, empowering the people to not only become aware of the landfill-centric society we live in, but to take action as a conscious consumer who has the power to impact real change, from the bottom-up, and top-down.
Stay tune for more news and developments about Phuket Zero Waste.