Thailand

Thailand

Denmark and Thailand work together in the format of 10 years strategic sector cooperation (SSC) within circular economy and waste management. The objective is to support the development of circular economy and more effective waste management which would also contribute to a green transition and to reduce negative impacts on the environment, livelihoods, the economy and the public health.

Waste represents an economic opportunity for innovative business. Through circular economy waste should no longer be seen as the end of consumption, but rather the beginning since all materials, in principle, retain the potential as a resource for something new.

Strategic Sector Cooperation about circular economy and waste 

The SSC partnership on circular economy and waste management between Denmark and Thailand was initiated in 2023. The ongoing first phase - of a planned total of three - is supposed to be continued by a second phase during 2027. 

This SSC project also has a regional aspect with the purpose of supporting the circular economy agenda in the ASEAN region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) collaborates primarily with the Thailand Pollution Control Department (PCD) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Other main partners in Thailand are The Department of Local Administration (DLA) under the Ministry of Interior, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and the ASEAN regional centre ACSDSD – ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue, which is located in Bangkok.

The strategic sector cooperation in Thailand is financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) under a framework agreement between Danish MFA and the Danish Ministry of Environment. Apart from the capacity building, the SSC project also serves to create enhanced possibilities for general bilateral diplomatic exchange as well as Danish private sector opportunities in Thailand.

Phase 1 activities Extended Producer responsibility, waste management and communication 

The main activities during Phase 1 of the cooperation include:

• Thailand-Denmark peer-to-peer policy dialogue on the development of circular economy and sustainable waste management;
• With the assistance of a Danish consultant and together with the relevant Thai partners from the government, the academia, and the private sector, the project will develop practical tools for the administration of a planned system in Thailand for EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) for packaging and e-waste;

• In close co-operation with the ACSDSD, Danish experience and other state-of-the-art knowledge in the CE and waste management fields will be structured and communicated to government officials, the private sector, civil society, and the public in Thailand and the ASEAN region;
• The project, together with the BMA and a Thai consultant, will introduce and test various regimes of improved waste sorting practices in condominiums in two districts in central Bangkok. The sorting system will be introduced and communicated to residents. After a test period during 2026, the results will be evaluated and lessons learned reported and communicated. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has by 2026 introduced differentiated tariffs to stimulate waste sorting;

• The project, together with the DLA and a Thai Kasetsart university develop, test and distribute information about the successful establishment and activities of voluntary waste banks in local communities. Further, the project, together with the PCD and a Thai consultant, will support the development of National guidelines for establishment and management of MRF (Material Recovery Facilities) in Thailand. Further, together with the DLA and selected local municipalities, with assistance from a Thai consultant, a gap-analysis in the overall municipal waste management will be initiated with the purpose of pointing to possible solutions to overcome the gaps in the waste stream;
• The SSC-project is also instrumental in terms of enhancing the general Thai-Danish diplomatic relations. It strives to enhance the cooperation between public institutions and the private sector and opens opportunities for private sector involvement and increased investment within circular economy and waste management;
• Study tours to Denmark and Europe on waste management, EPR, and promotion of circular economy will be arranged;
• Frequent participation from various Thai professionals in Danida Fellowship Centre training courses in Denmark in specific fields of circular economy development and waste management.