Electronic Waste Recycling Business: Solution, Choice, Survival

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors impacting the electronic waste management in Thailand and recommend guidelines to drive the electronic waste recycling business in the country. The study used the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a conceptual framework. The in-depth interview was carried out using the semi-structured interview with the target agencies including government agencies, local administrative organizations, establishments related to electronic waste management (Factories in categories 105 and 106) as well as community junk shops in Chatuchak District, Bangkok. The study findings revealed that in considering the volume of electronic waste generated in Thailand and the share of important basic metals and plastics as components in electrical and electronic equipment to be used as secondary raw materials, the potential value from electronic waste recycling (household electrical appliances) could reach over 9,000,000,000 baht (9,165,701,106 baht) with the increasing trend following the increased volume of electronic waste. The market of the electronic waste recycling business in Thailand had the potential to grow. Upgrading of the electronic waste management system in Thailand was required for more efficiency, in particular, the process of collection, buy-back of product waste, reuse, and increased technological potential. Advanced technology needed to be developed to extract metals from electronic waste in order to obtain more varied metals.