On April 5, 2024, at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior), Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment), Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana (Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)), Gita Sabharwal (United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand), Mr. Suttipong Juljarern (Permanent Secretary for Interior), Dr. Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern (President of the Interior Wives Association), Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Mr. Khajon Srichawanothai (Director-General of the Department of Local Administration), jointly announced the Success of Thailand's Waste Bank Partnership Initiative) under the Sustainable Development Partnership between the United Nations in Thailand, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Representatives from relevant agencies also attended the event.
Mr. Anutin said that the Sustainable Development Partnership have jointly driven the policy of "Establishing Waste Banks in all Local Administrative Organizations" to promote waste management at upstream, reduce the amount of waste at the downstream that causes greenhouse gases, and generate income and create welfare for people in the community sustainably. This is in line with the SDGs. This policy requires the participation of people in the community through the implementation of policies at various levels of government and must be continuous to be sustainable.
Mr. Suttipong said that from the implementation of the National Food Waste Management Campaign of Local Administrative Organization in Thailand project, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has received support for the purchase of carbon credits from Kasikornbank in the amount of 3,140 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, totaling 816,400 baht. In addition, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited and state and private organizations have also provided support, resulting in the sale of more than 2.5 million baht in carbon credits. Currently, MOI has been able to establish 14,658 waste banks in all local administrative organizations (LAOs), making every village in 878 districts and 76 provinces have a "Best Practice" model to be expanded to additional villages and households.[1]
The MOI has announced that LAOs will be required to lick-off a Recyclable Waste Bank on January 1, 2024. The MOI has also issued a letter requesting the cooperation of all provinces in organizing the “MOI Waste Bank Week – MOI Declares Success: 1 Local Administrative Organization, 1 Waste Bank” event. The event will feature an exhibition showcasing the operations of the Waste Banks established by the selected LAOs, as well as a live demonstration of recyclable waste trading. The event will be held from March 11-15, 2024. All LAOs that have established a Waste Bank after January 1, 2024 are also required to organize the “MOI Waste Bank Week – MOI Declares Success: 1 Local Administrative Organization, 1 Waste Bank” event at their respective offices within March 11-15, or by March 22 at the latest (if unable to organize during the aforementioned period). The event is expected to be attended by MOI network partners, local environment volunteers, students, and local community networks. The aim of the event is to raise awareness among the public about the importance of waste separation at source. [2]
The activity was organized by provinces and LAOs nationwide, such as Thung Khok Subdistrict Municipality, Song Phi Nong District, Suphan Buri Province. Thung Khok Subdistrict Municipality campaigned for people to reduce the amount of waste and recycle waste according to the 3Rs principle. People were encouraged to bring recyclable waste to sell at the waste bank, and the dividends will be credited to their bank accounts. [3]
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