Thailand officially banned plastic waste imports in January 2025, aiming to combat toxic pollution caused by mismanaged waste. Historically, Thailand has been a significant destination for plastic waste from developed countries, including Japan, which exported about 50 million kg in 2023. Between 2018 and 2021, the country imported over 1.1 million tonnes of plastic scraps.
While activists hail the ban as a victory, they stress the importance of robust enforcement. Poor waste management, including illegal burning, has previously harmed human health and the environment. Experts urge Thailand’s industrial, environmental, and customs agencies to cooperate in preventing illicit imports and ensure the ban is fully implemented.
The move coincides with ongoing global negotiations to finalize a legally binding treaty on plastic waste, aiming to reduce the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced annually and phase out harmful chemicals and single-use plastics. Without such a treaty, experts warn the global plastic crisis will continue to threaten human and environmental health. Read Here
News Credit: The Guardian
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