THE FIGHT against plans to build a garbage-powered electricity-generating plant in Khon Kaen's Phu Wiang Municipality has continued unabated. This plan was meant to be among various garbage-disposal methods to be used to help alleviate the problem of overwhelming waste in the municipality's 24-rai dump, located in Tambon Ban Reu.
The problem of mounting garbage is not uncommon in Thailand, as the amount of waste created is going beyond the capacity of existing dumpsites and building a garbage-powered electricity-generating plant has been raised as a solution in many areas.
However, such proposals often face protests from local residents, who fear environmental and health impacts.
A recent public consultation in Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality did not get a good response as only a few people showed up and related agencies were conspicuously absent.
Representatives of PPG Phuwiang Greentech presented an explanation about the proposed plant, which would use 200-250 tonnes of garbage per day - while protesters camped outside, shouted objections.
Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality, however, went ahead and signed a memorandum of understanding with nearby districts that will |provide garbage to fuel the plant.
But protesters claim the power plant may add to the huge amount of garbage in their area, as trucks laden with garbage pass through community areas and inflict toxic fumes on residents from burning the waste. Local resident Numit Panoi said the plant wasn't a solution, but a second blow.
More trash would be brought into the area - possibly in a careless manner - and would end up creating a foul odour, she said.
Another resident, Sakhon Lippo, called on municipal authorities to have a better management system like burying garbage instead of building a power plant.
"Currently, they are still unable to solve the problem of the 7 to 8 tonnes of garbage created every day. Plus there is polluted water leaking into rice fields and some residents have developed an allergic rash," he said, adding that bringing more garbage to feed the plant would worsen this problem. "We are also not sure if the plant's combustion system is effective, safe and won't create dust," he said, noting that there were schools in the area.
Another villager, Papop Butthes, said the protest had been initiated by local residents themselves as they felt their area did not need a power plant. "If the municipality cares enough and is serious about garbage disposal, they could employ a better method," he said, adding that they would protest until the end.
However, local resident Pilawan Phumas, disagreed, saying that judging from the project's presentation in which a Phuket power plant was cited, it could be a good thing because this method of disposing garbage was systematic and could create jobs for the locals.
However, she voiced concern on garbage being transported through the community on a daily basis, as it could affect those living along the route or near the plant.
Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality clerk Amnuay Rungrat said the garbage issue was worsening every day, as the dumpsite was limited to 24 rai and located in Tambon Ban Reu, which only allowed the waste to be buried once a week.
He said the plant would provide a good solution, though it should undergo a public hearing.