Abstract:
The objective of this study was to carry out the assessment of hazardouswaste management and treatment in Eastern Seaboard Area. This study was carriedout by collecting data from various factories in the industrial estates attached to thelndustrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) namely Maptaphut lndustrial Estate,Laem Chabang lndustrial Estate , Chonburi lndustrial Estate(Bowin win), AmataNakorn lndustrial Estate (Bangpakong lndustrial Park II) Wellgrow lndustrial Estateand Gateway Industrial Estate. From the study results, it was found that the factoriesin Maptaphut lndustrial Estate generated the largest amount of 58,706 t/y ofhazardous wastes and the amount of 3,087 t/y of hazardous wastes was in LaemChabang Industrial Estate. Furthermore, a significant amount of emission dust of13,510 t was generated from steel manufacture and smelters in Chonburi lndustrialEstate. At present, there are 2 centers of industrial hazardous waste treatment. Thefirst one, Samae Dam waste treatment center located in Bangkhuntien District, provideswastewater treatment for electroplating and textile factories including solid wastestreatment and disposal facilities. The second center is in Maptaphut lndustrial Estate,Rayong Province to provide waste treatment, secured landfill and fuel blending forhazardous wastes. Both of these centers have been operated by the GeneralEnvironmental Conservation Company Limited (GENCO). From the study results, itwas found that some of the industrial hazardous wastes being generated from factoriesin the industrial estates still have been stored at the factory sites eventhough therehave sufficient capabilities at the centers.In addition, the hazardous waste treatment center located in MaptaphutIndustrial Estate is a temporary treatment plant according to the government policy.Some facilities have not yet been installed such as a wastewater treatment plant and ahigh temperature incinerator. Furthermore, the existing landfill system has beencomplained by the communities around the area due to the aesthetics and odor. Asthe results above, it is imperative to improve management of the hazardous wastes inEastern Seaboard Area. Firstly, it is strongly recommended to install a wastewatertreatment plant and a high temperature incinerator in a near future. Furthermore, thewaste minimization technique should be introduced to the factories for reduction ofhazardous waste. For the long term, an appropiate site for secure landfill should beinvestigated to replace the existing hazardous waste treatment center. Finally, it isnecessary to have a transfer station of each industrial estate to collect all hazardouswaste effectively.