Thailand will ban imports of 432 types of scrap electronics within six months, a Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment official said yesterday, the latest country to respond to China’s crackdown on imports of high-tech trash this year.
Southeast Asia nations fear they are the new dumping ground for the world’s trash after China banned the entry of several types of waste as part of a campaign against “foreign garbage.”
Thailand’s ban comes weeks after Vietnam said it would stop issuing new licenses for waste imports and crack down on illegal shipments of paper, plastic and metal.
The Thai ban covers 432 types of electronic refuse — from electronic circuit boards to old television and radio parts — and is to take effect within six months, the official said.
He said the ban was agreed at a meeting on Wednesday chaired by Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Surasak Kanchanarat.
“The meeting yesterday passed a resolution to stop importing 432 kinds of electronic waste and to ensure ... that this is enforced within six months,” said the official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
A full list of banned items is to be announced soon, Thai Department of Industrial Works Director-General Mongukol Pruekwatana said.
E-waste — commonly defined as any device with an electric cord or battery — can be mined for valuable metals, such as gold, silver and copper. However, it can also include hazardous material like lead, mercury and cadmium.
Surasak on Wednesday told Thai media that imports of some electronic appliances and second-hand devices would be allowed, if these items could be repaired and reused.
Scrap metal, including aluminum, copper and steel, can still be imported for industrial use, but must be separated at the country of origin and cleaned, he said.
Thailand’s e-waste ban follows a series of raids that began in May on factories accused of illegally importing and processing electronic waste.
Environmentalists say waste once destined for China is being re-routed to Southeast Asia, and new laws are needed or existing laws better enforced to prevent illegal imports.
The Vietnamese central bank on Wednesday said it has asked banks to tighten lending to projects deemed environmentally unfriendly.
It said banks must have strategies for environmental risk management by 2025.
Thailand also plans to ban imports of plastic waste in the next two years, the environment ministry official said, but he gave no details of the program.
The death of a pilot whale in June found with about 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach focused attention on what environmentalists call Thailand’s “addiction” to plastic bags and packaging.
Thailand’s military government has said that improving the nation’s waste management infrastructure is a priority and set goals for 2021.
They included cutting the use of plastic bags and bottles in government agencies and businesses, and plastic bans in tourist destinations. A tax on plastic bags has also been mentioned, along with a target to recycle up to 60 percent of plastic by 2021.
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