Abstract:
Solid waste is one of the adverse environmental problems encountered by many local organization authorities (LOAs), including LOAs of Pathum Thani Province where was the study area. The propose of this research is to develop and examine the solid waste management (SWM) using circular economy (CE) approach for LOAs of Pathum Thani Province. This research employed qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method employed literature review, observation, and commissioning questionnaire together with interview. The quantitative method was made through analysis of the questionnaire responding as for the ratio of agreement (recognizing), uncertainty, and disagreement to the designated questions, respectively. The questionnaire was sent to 20 LOAs (Sanitary Division) of Pathum Thani Province.
The study results indicated that 80% of the respondents on SWM recognition on solid waste problem, inability on solid waste disposal coping with the designated policy and strategy. Respondents of 60% was for realization of modern technology and process for solid waste disposal such as waste to energy, oil production from plastic waste (pyrolysis oil). However, it is unable to make it at present, it will be possible for future. Perception of CE for solid waste management; 70% of respondents emphasized for the necessity and 75% for 5 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Repair Refurbish and Recycle); 65% for solid waste segregation through solid waste bank of the community and school. Respondents of 80% understood that CE would be the effective method for solid waste disposal.
Development of solid waste management on CE principle would be the effective system based on following recommendations; for the policy level by setting target development and strategy on SWM-CE concept consisting of following action plans; the urgency plan through commanding by the Mayor of LOAs, and the short plan by issuing regulation on SWM-CE through the Ministry of Interior; knowledge management for the high level administrators on CE beneficial to solid waste management. Regarding the action plan on solid waste management using CE model, it should be responsible by the Sanitary Division, and setting the LOAs cluster for solid waste management with CE collaboration as well as enhancing and disseminating the knowledge of CE on solid waste management. The SWM-CE has to make through the upstream ( enhancing solid waste segregation at household, setting up garbage bank at community, community enterprises, schools, exchanging solid waste with the necessary things, cleanliness community competition, selling products made of recycle materials, etc.); mid-stream ( hygienic wastes segregation on garbage truck base on the handling capacity, waste segregation at garbage transfer station (if have); downstream (allocating waste segregation area for the villagers, garbage sellers at solid waste landfill site; making refuse derived fuel, waste to energy plant, etc.).