Thailand bans import of waste plastics

        According to The Nation, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce's Department of Foreign Trade announced on Tuesday that Thailand will ban the import of waste plastics from January 1, 2025 to prevent plastic waste from causing harm to the environment and public health.

        Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the department, said the measure, proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, was approved by the cabinet on December 3 and published in the Royal Gazette on Monday (December 16). The Department of Foreign Trade has notified importers that they must complete the import of affected products by December 31. "The ban on scrap plastic imports will help stimulate plastic recycling in Thailand, ensuring more efficient use of resources and reducing unused scrap plastics. It will also help reduce pollution that can affect the environment and public health," Arada added.

        Thailand will also revise item 39.15 of its tariff schedule, which covers the import of waste, scrap and scrap plastics. Previously, scrap plastic imports were allowed in cases of insufficient supply, but only with the approval of the Ministry of Industry and Works. After the tariff schedule is revised, all scrap plastic imports will be banned from January 1, 2025.

        According to reports, the resolution to ban the import of waste plastics had been passed at the cabinet meeting on February 21, 2023. The resolution aims to require relevant agencies to formulate measures to regulate the import of waste plastics as raw materials for industrial factories. Agencies must also promote the recycling of waste plastics in Thailand under the framework of the BCG (Biological, Circular, Green) economic model.