The Packaging Recovery Organization Thailand Network, or PRO-Thailand Network, hosted an online seminar under the theme "Driving Thailand's EPR Policy: Unveiling Voluntary PRO for Change." The discussion featured speakers from both the public and private sectors, who shared approaches to tangibly drive the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Thailand, and significant roles that voluntary PRO organizations can play. International speakers from Fost Plus in Belgium and the Indonesia Packaging Recovery Organization (IPRO) in Indonesia also participated, sharing their successful experiences in managing post-consumer packaging under the principles of EPR.
The seminar aimed to expand awareness of EPR principles in policy terms and the operations of voluntary PRO in Thailand. It also discussed the development path of PRO organizations internationally. Operators from all sectors related to the packaging value chain are invited to work together with the PRO-Thailand Network to support the implementation of EPR policies and prepare to address them systematically.
Starting with an interesting example, Belgium's PRO, a non-profit organization, has played a vital role in establishing Belgium as the recycling hub of the European Union. This success is attributed to its efficient management of packaging waste and incorporating recycled materials back into the production cycle, exceeding the set targets. Mr. Thomas De Meester, Public and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Fost Plus, the only PRO in Belgium responsible for the management and recycling of household packaging waste, revealed, "Fost Plus is responsible for the collection and recycling of household packaging waste, achieving an overall recycling rate as high as 95%. In particular, Fost Plus has succeeded in designing and developing methods to increase the recycling rate of household plastic packaging, which significantly improved from 52% to 61% in the year 2022. Fost Plus can handle a variety of materials, such as PMD (plastic, metal and drink cartons), glass, and paper/cardboard, etc. Another important highlight is the 'Blue Bag' project. This system facilitates the separation of recyclable materials by using a single type of bag throughout the country. This simplicity makes the process easier for households, leading to a significant increase in the recycling rate."
Mr. Thomas De Meester further stated that the Blue Bag system has continuously expanded its collection categories to include all types of materials. Recently, the program has adapted to allow the collection of used coffee capsules in these bags for recycling. This expansion has led to an increase in the volume of materials being recycled, generating more income from the sale of sorted materials. These materials can be reused as raw materials in new production processes, contributing to the creation of a circular economy in Belgium. Furthermore, there has been strong cooperation from the industrial sector and retail businesses. Fost Plus has received funding to invest in the construction of five sorting plants and five recycling plants, which enhances their capacity to manage and recycle a greater variety of materials.
Belgium has thus been able to recycle beyond its target and has become a leader in recycling innovation, setting standards for other countries.
Another prominent PRO in the ASEAN region is the Indonesia Packaging Recovery Organization (IPRO), established in Indonesia in 2020. Currently, it has 18 members advancing the voluntary EPR system, and it continues to work closely with the Indonesian government. Mrs. Zul Martini Indrawati, General Manager of IPRO, shared that Indonesia faces significant challenges in waste management due to inadequate systems, limited budgets, and lacking infrastructure. The 2017 data from the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) of Indonesia indicates that the country produces up to about 6.8 million tons of plastic waste annually.
IPRO has 16 partners from various provinces and is expected to soon expand to all islands in Indonesia. In the last year and a half, IPRO has developed its collection of recyclable materials and has managed to collect six types of materials: PETE, PP, PE, and HDPE plastics, UHT beverage cartons, and multilayered plastic packaging such as snack bags, refill pouches, and coffee sachets, amounting to approximately 15,000 tons.
IPRO supports operators in the recycling industry and collectors of post-consumer packaging through financial incentives and joint ventures aimed at developing and improving collection and sorting systems and infrastructure. IPRO's efforts include promotional and public relations campaigns to foster an efficient and sustainable collection, sorting, and recycling system. This approach is essential for reintegrating a significant volume of waste back into the recycling process. It is projected that IPRO will create approximately 150,000 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, measured as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), by up to 20 million tons.
IPRO serves as an exemplary model of the private sector collaborating with the government to address environmental challenges. This joint effort encompasses a range of activities, from packaging design, collection, and recycling, to the development and application of innovations, as well as involving stakeholders in the related packaging value chain.
Ms. Mayuree Aroonwaranon, Project Manager of the PRO-Thailand Network, described the network's growth trajectory. As a voluntary PRO, it acknowledges the global issue of post-consumer packaging and plastic waste, focusing on preventing its leakage into the natural environment. The initiative began with a pilot project in 2020 and continues to engage in the collection and recycling of packaging, a practice that has been maintained to the present day. This effort also includes studying and formulating guidelines for managing post-consumer packaging, with insights drawn from PROs in various countries such as Belgium, the United States, South Africa, and Mexico, tailored to fit Thailand's context. The findings indicate that Thailand has significant potential, exemplified by its robust network for collecting post-consumer packaging.
The PRO-Thailand Network has set significant goals: to increase the collection of post-consumer packaging for recycling, educate the public, and collaborate with various sectors, including government and private entities. Initially, the network piloted the collection of three types of post-consumer packaging - PET plastic bottles, UHT beverage cartons, and multi-layered plastic packaging like snack bags, refill pouches, and coffee sachets. It works in conjunction with over 300 waste sorting facilities and 11 recycling plants. Additionally, it supports the Pollution Control Department in advancing the EPR policy and developing appropriate, practical laws for sustainable packaging management in Thailand.
Industries that use packaging and are interested in environmental sustainability can participate with the PRO-Thailand Network to drive the EPR policy in Thailand. Collaboratively collecting post-consumer packaging is more efficient in terms of cost management and operations. This joint effort also offers an opportunity to gain insights into EPR and the PRO model, preparing participants for compliance with sustainable packaging management laws. Thus, it will contribute to promoting circular economy in the country sustainably.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Panate Manomaivibool, a key figure in driving the EPR policy in academia and Head of the Research Center for Circular Economy for Waste-free Thailand (CEWT) at the School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, has played a significant role in this area. Tasked by the Pollution Control Department to draft the Sustainable Packaging Management Act, he explained that Thailand began learning about the EPR principles in 2000 when the European Union started enforcing policies, specifically for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). He added that various levels of the relevant governmental agencies have been actively involved in studying and developing this legislation.
The EPR model, devised by Thomas Lindhqvist from Sweden in 1992, comprises four main components: Liability, Financial Responsibility, Physical Responsibility, and Informative Responsibility. Liability and Financial Responsibility entail that producers bear the costs and expenses associated with managing post-consumer packaging. Physical Responsibility involves establishing return points for products to enhance physical infrastructure and facilitate sorting. Lastly, Informative Responsibility involves educating the public, a crucial role for producers in fostering a Circular Economy.
Within these components, Liability and Financial Responsibility emerge as the foundational pillars of the PRO-Thailand Network's operations, enabling producers to assume responsibility for managing post-consumer packaging, a task that initially posed significant challenges to local waste management systems.
Representing the Pollution Control Department, Ms. Teeraporn Wiriwutikorn, a Specialist in Waste and Hazardous Substance Management and Acting Director of the Waste and Hazardous Substances Management Division, pointed out the opportunity to increase the rate of collection and recycling. According to waste management data from 2022, there was a total of 25.7 million tons of waste generated, showing an increasing trend. About 40% of this waste was disposed of properly, 27% was managed improperly, and only 35% was recycled or reused.
In reality, there is potential to manage this waste more effectively. Local government units or local administrative organizations successfully collected 78% or 20 million tons of the waste, with 19% of this collected waste being sorted for recycling. However, of the total waste generated, 59% or 15.2 million tons were not managed adequately; 21% of the total waste was sent to improperly managed disposal sites, and approximately 28% of the plastic waste, which could have been recycled, was not, due to limitations in infrastructure and local capacity. This inefficiency leads to an increase in plastic waste and a loss of its potential value.
Manufacturers are at the forefront of fostering responsibility, beginning with their own processes. They are well-acquainted with their products and understand how to make them sustainable through reduction, sorting, and reintegration into the system. Their efforts include reducing the use of hazardous substances and designing products for recyclability, thereby contributing to the expansion of EPR. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) actively collaborates with various sectors, forming MOUs with both public and private organizations, including the PRO-Thailand Network. Additionally, the PCD works with international partner organizations. The primary objective is to reduce marine debris and contribute to the development of current legislation.
This year's second National Solid Waste Management Plan targets various types of post-consumer packaging, including glass bottles, cardboard, aluminum, beverage cartons, and plastics. This plan incorporates both voluntary and mandatory approaches. The office encourages voluntary participation in the private sector. A notable example is the PRO-Thailand Network, which effectively demonstrates the development of infrastructure and manuals for implementing EPR. It also excels in data collection, creating economic incentives, raising awareness, and facilitating information exchange and dissemination.
Ms. Teeraporn also revealed that the PCD is currently presenting the draft of the Sustainable Packaging Management Act to the Law Reform Commission of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Once approved, it will be proposed to the Cabinet, followed by a review by the Council of State, and then presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate for voting. Normally, these steps take about 1-2 years to complete before the legislation is enacted.
Industries interested in learning more about the EPR can find additional information on the PRO-Thailand Network's Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/prothailandnetwork. For further details, they can also visit the PRO-Thailand Network's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@PRO-ThailandNetwork.
Source: PR & Associates
