LEGAL MEASURES TO PROMOTE RECYCLING PLASTIC HOUSEHOLD WASTES

Abstract

A comparative legal study was made of regulations on recycling plastic household waste (PHW) in Thailand, Japan, and Germany.

            Results were that in Japan and Germany, comparably clear laws define civic duties for promoting PHW recycling. Manufacturers, plastic packaging distributors, and municipal administrations are all given coordinating responsibilities to gather separated wastes before bringing them to the recycling process or entrepreneurs. By contrast, in Thailand, no law exists about promoting the recycling of PHW distinct from other waste management. Instead, rules apply that were drafted to cover other methods of waste disposal. These findings suggestion that to improve the Thai approach, manufacturers and consumers should be the focus of promoting PHW recycling. The Thai government and municipalities as well as private and public sectors should become partners in recycling by law and official policy. In terms of legal reform, the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country, B.E. 2535 (1992), amended in 2017, as well as the Excise Act, B.E. 2560 (2017) require revision to directly promote PHW recycling.