The Recyclable Waste Management of Urban Communities of Maha Sarakham Municipality and Related Areas

Abstract

This article aimed at 1) investigating the recyclable waste management model and the stakeholders involved; 2) analyzing the cycle of recyclable waste management in the municipality and related areas; and 3) providing recommendations for an integrated management method involving local authorities, government, community, and the private sector. The study employed in-depth interviewing as its primary research method and involved two main participant groups: an informal sample group comprising individuals from local communities and a formal group consisting of businesses engaged in purchasing recyclable waste. The research methodology encompassed four key steps: Step 1: Classification of Recyclable Wastes and Methods. Step 2:  Interviewing Selected Sample Groups. Step 3: Construction of a Recyclable Waste Management Cycle Chart. Step 4: Recommendations for Integration. The findings from this research revealed a lack of connection within the waste management process, emphasizing the need for a more cohesive and interconnected system. It underscored the importance of designing a management model that aligns with the concepts of circular economy and symbiosis within the waste management ecosystem, aiming for more sustainable waste practices. Moreover, this article contributed to a broader study on The Study of Community Waste Flow Management through the Urban Symbiosis Concept of Sustainable Waste Management: The Case Study of Maha Sarakham Municipality. The study was part of a larger research initiative supported by funding from the Thailand Research Fund, specifically the Office of Thailand Science Research and Innovation Promotion Council (TSRI), in 2019. This funding indicates the significance and support for research endeavors addressing waste management and sustainability in the country.