Phuket Plastic Recycling in Thailand

Phuket Plastic Recycling in Thailand

Thailand can reduce plastic waste and help the environment by adopting a more circular economy as one of the world's largest plastic producers.

Plastic waste deserves proper management to prevent it from ending up in the waterways and oceans causing more damage to the marine ecosystem.

In 2019, the Thai government approved a budget of 24 billion baht to transform the country into an advanced technology-based society. One of the main goals is to cut Thailand's waste by at least three million tonnes a year through recycling and reuse.

Part of that management involves collecting plastic waste for recycling which can be re-used in one form or another. Phuket plastic recycling is underway.

Thailand Plastic Recycling Roadmap

Plastic Recycling Waste Management Roadmap 2030: Reduction of the use of plastic and replacement by environmentally friendly renewable materials.

• 2019: Three types of plastics are to be discontinued. These include plastic bottle caps, oxo-degradable plastics, and plastic microbeads.

• 2022: Another four types of plastic will be discontinued. They include plastic bags with a thickness of fewer than 36 microns, styrofoam food containers, and plastic straws.

• 2027: 100% of the target plastic waste will be recycled in Thailand.

Phuket Plastic Recycling Centers

The local Phuket government is asking residents and businesses to help take a more active role in the reduction of plastics through plastic recycling and reuse.

Phuket has three Plastic Recycling centers on the island:

♻️ Naka Recycle

• Address: 70/2Moo 4 Chao Fa West Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 8300
• Phone:  086 283 7763
• GoogleMaps:  https://goo.gl/maps/emRHHZszKmKqwb6f7

♻️ Wong Panit Plastic Recycling Center

• Address:  75/72 Phra Phuket Kaew Road, Kathu, Muang.Phuket 83120
• Phone:  076 304 346
• GoogleMaps:  https://goo.gl/maps/BowmXPNT5c4fnH1XA
• Website:   https://www.facebook.com/wongpanitphuket

♻️ Patkhon Plastic Recycling

• Address:  1/348 Thepkrasatree Rd, Si Sunthon, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
• GoogleMaps:  https://goo.gl/maps/sqztyWUMq4Pf62Sf8

YOU Can Make a Difference

The Phuket plastic recycling efforts of communities can make a big impact in helping to solve the problem. It starts with local households and businesses taking an active role.

Simply by separating your plastic from your trash, we can make it easier for trash collectors. Use transparent waste bags for plastics so they are clearly visible to collectors. Garbage trucks, sort recyclables as they go along, to sell and supplement their basic pay.

Bring a Cotton Bag with you and politely refuse plastic when shopping.

Volunteer for Beach Clean-Up

There are regular beach clean-ups in Phuket and this is a great way to spend a day, help the community, and make new friends.

• Clean the Beach BootCamp
• Trash Hero Phuket
• Keep Phuket Clean

Tax Plastic

Though a full-out ban on plastic might not be practical, a tax to discourage usage is feasible. In the UK, such tax has proven successful.

In 2016, a Thai University initiated a zero-waste program. Students were taught about the need to reduce plastic consumption and to separate and recycle waste. The university started charging 2 baht per plastic bag in all campus retail stores. Clean water stations were installed where students could refill water bottles. In just over a year, the use of plastic dropped by almost 90%.

Change is Coming

A reform of Thailand’s waste management is just starting. This will include the creation of a national waste management authority, as well as more schemes to promote recycling and improve the country's waste management. Greater education on the impact of using single-use plastic and improper waste management is currently being proposed.

Changes such as these to plastic recycling would enable Thailand to improve its global ranking on marine plastic pollution and improve both human and animal health.