The Status of Plastics Recycling in Thailand
Plastics are now widely used in all aspects of modern life. They contribute, to a great extent, to the comfort and improvement of the quality of life. They owe their importance to their outstanding properties such as low density, durability, and flexibility for a wide range of applications from simple packaging to heavy construction. Because of their low production cost, they have been extensively used for disposable packaging and containers. Discarded plastic products and packaging make up a growing porting of solid waste, which, due to their resistance to biodegradation, have a deleterious effect on the environment as an obvious contributor to pollution. Recycling of plastics that use to end up at landfills or incinerators is increasing around the world. Because there are different varieties of plastics, the recycling processes are choose and developed to suit particular plastic. In general, the plastics recycling process comprise of four following steps. There are collection, separation, reprocessing and markets for recycled product. In order to success in plastics recycling, these four steps must be developed to gain high performance and low cost of operation which involve the good management and suitable technology. These developments need cooperation from individual, government and business. For instance, all people must be aware of plastics waste pollution by sorting the garbage before disposing into container or using the product that are made from recycled plastics. Government must enact the recycling law, provide education and promotion about plastics recycling and arrange the facility for collecting and sorting plastics waste. Private business and researcher must develop technology to obtain high performance for all recycling process and design. In this research, all information about plastics recycling will be investigated. First of all, the status of production, application and recycling of plastics in Thailand will be gathered and evaluated. Second, the policy and the law those contribute to plastics recycling will be examined and compared between Thai and other countries. Third, all technology and equipment for plastics recycling process will be reviewed. Accordingly, these data could be used for plastics waste management of the country. Particularly, to compare the beneficial of this method with the others like the development and used of biodegradable plastics. MTEC National Science and Technology Development Agency The Status of Plastics Recycling in Thailand Plastics are now widely used in all aspects of modern life . They contribute , to a great extent , to the comfort and improvement of the quality of life . They owe their importance to their outstanding properties such as low density, durability, and flexibility for a wide range of applications from simple packaging to heavy construction . Because of their low production cost , they have been extensively used for disposable packaging and containers . Discarded plastic products and packaging make up a growing porting of solid waste , which, due to their resistance to biodegradation, have a deleterious effect on the environment as an ob vious contributor to pollution . Recycling of plastics that use to end up at land fills or incinerators is increasing around the world. Because there are different varieties of plastics , the recycling processes are choose and developed to suit particular plastic . In general, the plastics recycling process comprise of four following steps . There are collection, separation, reprocessing and markets for recycled product . In order to success in plastics recycling, these four steps must be developed to gain high performance and low cost of operation which involve the good management and suitable technology . These developments need cooperation from individual, government and business . For instance, all people must be aware of plastics waste pollution by sorting the garbage before disposing into container or using the product that are made from recycled plastics . Government must enact the recycling law, provide education and promotion about plastics recycling and arrange the facility for collecting and sorting plastics waste . Private business and researcher must develop technology to obtain high performance for all recycling process and design. In this research, all information about plastics recycling will be investigated. First of all, the status of production, application and recycling of plastics in Thailand will be gathered and evaluated. Second , the policy and the law those contribute to plastics recycling will be examined and compared between Thai and other countries . Third, all technology and equipment for plastics recycling process will be reviewed. Accordingly, these data could be used for plastics waste management of the country . Particularly, to compare the beneficial of this method with the others like the development and used of biodegradab