Thailand to ban imports of plastic waste from Jan 1,2025

Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade announced the law banning imports of plastic waste for use as raw materials in industrial factories comes into effect from January 1, 2025, reported The Nation Thailand.

“The ban on imports will help stimulate plastic recycling in Thailand, ensuring more efficient resource usage and reducing the amount of unused plastic waste. This will also help reduce pollution that could impact the environment and public health,” said Arada Fuangtong, the director-general of Department of Foreign Trade.

Arada Fuangtong, director-general of Department of Foreign Trade of Thailand. (Source: Department of Foreign Trade of Thailand)

The director-general stated that this move was proposed by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and was approved by the Cabinet on December 3 and published in the Royal Gazette on December 16.

The move includes an amendment to item no 39.15 of Thailand’s Tariff Schedule, which covers import of waste, parings and plastic scraps.

The original schedule stipulates that the import of plastics scraps into the kingdom is permitted in the event of supplies being inadequate and must be approved by the Department of Industrial Works. After the amendment, all imports of plastic waste will be banned from the start of next year.

Fuangtong also added that the department has notified importers that they have until December 31 to complete their pending imports of affected products.

This move is a result of the cabinet resolution on February 21, 2023, which aims to have relevant agencies establish measures to regulate the import of plastic scraps for use as raw materials in industrial factories.

Agencies are also required to promote the recycling of domestic plastic waste under the framework of the BCG (Bio, Circular, Green) economy model.