The Household E-Waste Management in Thailand: Challenges and Opportunities towards Circular Economy
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Abstract
Thailand has been facing challenges in handling e-waste as the country does not have regulations on e-waste management. Most of the practices are being performed by informal sectors that lack technology, infrastructure, and knowledge. This research aims to understand the e-waste management and challenges and opportunities towards circular economy. The results show that the transportation distances from households to recycling facilities passes through many middlemen before arriving at a recycling company’s gate. If this e-waste had been collected and recycled, it can create value added and reduce CO2 emissions at the same time. To achieve the circular economy, the logistic should be improved. For certain type of e-waste, the fee might be charged form consumers. Full recycling facilities (e.g. circuit board, battery) is needed. Appropriate legislation dealing specifically with e-waste, control of its dumping, implementation of extended producer responsibilities are the key issues to promote circular economy of e-waste.
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