Integrated Waste Management System Overview

Abstract

Increasing waste generation under inefficient management systems has become a major challenge in many developing countries facing rapid economic growth. Thailand is suffering from low efficiency throughout the waste management logistics from source to final treatment. This has become a major concern to public health and resource utilization in the country. This book aims to give an overview of the waste management system situation and concepts in different countries. The book focuses on the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand and special waste streams such as discarded electrical and electronic equipment and hazardous household waste. System operation, management approaches, and key factors impacting the progress of waste management are explained. The first chapter starts with a brief introduction of the outlook and scope of the waste sector. An integrated sustainable waste management framework is presented, followed by a discussion of challenges and opportunities facing the sector in the future. The second chapter covers waste generation rates, waste sources, and waste characteristics. The third to eighth chapters present how municipal waste, electronic waste, hazardous household waste, and infectious waste are managed in Thailand. Lessons learned from various activities within Thailand aimed at overcoming ongoing challenges are presented. Recommendations promoting a sustainable waste management system in Thailand that could be applied to other countries with a similar background are presented including integration of the polluter pay concept, stringent new laws, good incentive systems for recycle and reuse, waste to energy technology, incorporation in environmental education, and awareness raising in every sector.