Thailand Temporarily Halts Imports of Plastic Waste, E-waste

Nearly a month after China and Vietnam announced their temporary suspensions of scrap plastic imports, the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has issued an order to temporarily halt imports of plastic waste and e-waste. While this move is temporary for now, the department is planning on proposing an indefinite ban on these imports in the near future.

To date, 37,000 tons of e-waste and 120,000 tons of plastic waste have been imported into Thailand in 2018.

National News Bureau of Thailand has more information:

The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has issued an order prohibiting imports of electronic and plastic waste.

The DIW Director-General, Mongkol Pruekwatana, said today his department will now inspect 2,240 recycling factories across the country.

He said the department has issued a prohibition on further imports of electronic and plastic waste effective immediately, and will be proposing to the Ministry of Industry to issue an indefinite ban on these imports in the near future.

Read the full story here.