Thailand has recently implemented stringent regulations on the importation of waste paper to bolster sustainable recycling efforts and combat contamination issues. The move comes in response to a significant surge in waste paper imports, which reached 2.71 million tonnes between January and September 2023, marking a substantial 60% increase compared to the previous year. The surge underscores the escalating demand for raw materials in the recycling sector, with the United States emerging as a key supplier of recycled paper to Thailand. However, many shipments were found to be tainted with non-paper materials, categorizing them as municipal waste.
To address this concern, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) has rolled out new standards that restrict the presence of non-paper contaminants in imported waste paper to no more than 2% for sorted paper and 3% for mixed paper. The shortage of paper raw materials in Thailand has been exacerbated by the predominant use of domestically produced paper for local consumption and export packaging, resulting in a shortfall of resources for the paper recycling industry, particularly long-fiber pulp derived from non-native pine trees.
Thailand heavily relies on imports of “recovered paper or paperboard” due to this shortage. Nonetheless, imported waste paper containing extraneous materials like plastic, rubber, textiles, and various other non-paper items are reclassified as municipal waste, a classification that is banned from import or transit under a 2019 Ministry of Commerce regulation.
In 2024, authorities discovered several shipments purported to be recyclable paper that were laden with contaminants such as foam, plastic scraps, textiles, soda cans, electronics, used diapers, and medical gloves. These contaminants categorize the shipments as municipal waste, rendering them illegal for import or transit through Thailand.
To enhance enforcement and establish clear guidelines for regulators and importers alike, the PCD has formed a task force aimed at regulating waste paper imports. This task force, comprising representatives from various governmental bodies and industry associations, will oversee the implementation of measures to control waste paper imports effectively.
The PCD has recently unveiled the “Criteria for Determining Contamination Levels in Waste Paper Imports, B.E. 2568 (2025),” mirroring European Union standards, to guide relevant agencies in enforcing eco-friendly import practices and fostering a circular economy. The criteria prohibit the presence of hazardous chemicals, radioactive substances, infectious waste, and toxic municipal waste in imported waste paper. Furthermore, it sets limits on the percentage of non-paper materials allowed in waste paper imports to ensure environmental sustainability and efficient recycling processes without burdening Thailand’s waste management systems.
📰 Related Articles
- Rescript: Transforming Waste Paper into Eco-Friendly Stationery Success
- How is recycling recycled paper impacting the global waste paper market?
- Understanding Shed Regulations: Key Points for UK Gardeners
- Thailand’s Online Betting Regulations Set to Transform Gambling Landscape
- Thailand Women vs. UAE Women: ICC T20 Semi Final Showdown
📚Book Titles
- Business Communication Strategies Training Manual
- Conflict Resolution in the Workplace Training Manual
- The Impact of Education on Society: The Role of Teachers in Shaping the Future in Regions Affected by Conflict and Climate Change
- Voyage to the Vermilion: A Comprehensive Review of Mars Explorations and Future Prospects