Thailand Imposes Ban on Imports of Electronic and Plastic Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Thailand has halted imports of electronic and plastic waste into the country. The order, banning the imports of the above said waste with immediate effect, was issued by the country’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW). Further, the DIW has demanded indefinite ban on imports of these wastes in the near future, for which a proposal will be forwarded to the Ministry of Industry.

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The DIW press release stated that it will coordinate with the Customs Department to ensure that the prohibited materials do not enter the country through any of its ports. Further, it will join hands with local administrations to carry out inspections at around 2,240 recycling factories in the country, said Mongkol Pruekwatana, Director General, DIW. The stock at ports will also undergo thorough inspection, it said. The order prohibits all the authorized 7 e-waste importing companies and 26 plastic waste importers from making any further import.

The decision follows the recent nationwide inspection of recycling factories across the nation, which revealed imports of certain types of e-waste that cause serious dangers to environment. The inspection of 148 facilities had found that several of the facilities, including the authorized ones, were involved in illegal import and processing of e-waste. Licensed companies were found importing materials that are not permitted as per license, by taking advantage of loopholes in the prevailing law.

As per rules of the country, importers of electronic waste must have to obtain advance approval from authorities. In addition, the imports must be approved by the authorities in the source country in accordance with the Basel Convention. Estimates suggest that Thailand has imported approximately 37,000 tons of e-waste and 120,000 tons of plastic waste so far this year, with Singapore and Hong Kong as the key suppliers.