Thailand's Total Ban on Plastic Scrap Imports to Take Effect in 2025

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Thailand has announced its decision to restrict plastic waste imports into the country in a phased manner. The country has been threatened by rising volumes of plastic waste flooded from rich countries, which in turn has caused serious environmental risks and health hazards to its citizens.

As per recently approved cabinet decision, the total ban on imports of plastic waste from other countries will take effect in 2025. Starting this year, only 14 manufacturers in free trade zones that use plastic scrap as raw material will be allowed to import the material, said the government in a statement. Also, imports will be cut by 50% by 2024, although the government has the right to grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

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It must be noted that the country domestically generates approximately 2 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, out of which only nearly one-fourth is responsibly recycled, according to rough estimates. Majority of these items, except certain high-quality materials are either dumped in landfills or incinerated.

The dumped plastic waste has been causing threat to marine life and food and water systems. The ban on plastic waste imports by China in 2018 had diverted much of the plastic scrap shipments from western countries to Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand.