i Support Development of Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris Copyright © by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000, Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of staff at The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Citation: World Bank. 2022. Support Development of Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris. Washington DC. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. ii Support Development of Thailand's Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris Prepared by The World Bank Pollution Control Department (PCD) Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) Supported by PROBLUE February 2022 Cover photo: Nopadol Uengbunchoo / iStock. iii PREFACE This report provides inputs to inform Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris and the rationale to guide plastic waste management in 2023–2027 (five-year plan). The informed Action Plan will support the implementation of the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030. The plan is consistent with Thailand's development direction as stated in the National Strategy 2018–2037 and the National Reform Strategy, the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan 2017–2021. The Action Plan also consistently supports Thailand's global and regional commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Region, the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris, and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris 2021–2025. The background document includes principal concepts recommended to be included in the Action Plan which consist of management of plastics through their entire life cycle. The background document also discusses impacts of marine plastic debris and potential solutions such as adoption of circular economy, enabling of a public- private-people partnership, and adoption of relevant rules and regulations to ensure comprehensive management of plastic wastes generated from land-based and sea- based sources. The development process of this background document focused on gathering information and inputs from relevant stakeholders through a consultative approach. The stakeholders include representatives from government sectors, private sectors, civil societies, academia, and international organizations. Interviews with representatives from 23 organizations and three stakeholder consultation meetings were conducted with a total of 320 participants, of whom 58 percent were women. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of this background document was conducted by a team from Thailand Environment Institute – Wijarn Simachya, Benjamas Chotthong, Pawin Thaleangsri, Tanirat Tanawat, Pireeyuth Wannapruek, and Boonyaporn Juethong. The preparation has been enabled and supported by the Pollution Control Department and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The work was managed with technical support by a World Bank team comprised of Waraporn Hirunwatsiri (Task Team Leader), Anjali Acharya, Pongtip Thiengburanathum, Rattanyu Dechjejaruwat, Piyarat Kittiwat, Kate Philp, Sarah Hollis, and Poonyanuch Chockanapitaksa, under the leadership and guidance of Ndiame Diop, Birgit Hansl, and Mona Sur. Rieko Kubota, Solvita Klapare, Navneet Chadha, and Dafei Huang provided peer review. We would like to thank all stakeholders, public and private sector, non-government organizations, international organizations, and communities who participated during the report preparation, with special acknowledgement to the Plastics Institute of Thailand for their support. Funding for this document was provided by PROBLUE, an umbrella multi donor trust fund, administered by the World Bank, that supports the sustainable and integrated development of marine and coastal resources in healthy oceans. v CONTENTS PREFACE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..…………………………………………………………………………………………….………….. v ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ………………………………..…………………………………….………………… ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………….…………………………………….……………….. xi 1. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………..……………………… 1 1.1 Background…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………. 2 1.2 Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 1.3 Principal concepts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 1.4 Relevance to current plans and policies ………………………………………………………………….…….. 4 1.5 Need for an Action Plan ………….………….………….………….………….………….…………………….……… 6 1.6 Preparation process for the proposed Action Plan 6 ………….………….………….………….………….……..…………. 2. STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF MARINE PLASTIC DEBRIS ………….………….………….… 7 2.1 Global status on marine plastic ………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 2.2 Global management of marine plastic debris ……………………………………………………………….. 10 2.3 Status of marine plastic debris in Thailand ……………………………………………………………………. 17 2.4 Management of marine plastic debris in Thailand ………………………………………………………… 26 2.5 Conclusions …………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………… 29 3. GAP ANALYSIS AND STAKEHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS ……………………………….. 31 3.1 Thailand’s driving forces on marine plastic debris ………………………………………………………….. 32 3.2 Gap analysis on the status of marine plastic debris ………………………………………………………… 33 3.2.1 Operation at the national level ………………………………………………………………………………… 33 3.2.2 Coastal community operations ………………………………………………………………………………… 34 3.3 Gap analysis and opportunities ………………………………………………………………………………………. 35 3.3.1 Opportunities …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 36 3.3.2 Gaps ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38 3.4 Stakeholder recommendation ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 40 3.5 Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44 4. INPUTS TO INFORM THAILAND’S DRAFT ACTION PLAN ON MARINE PLASTIC 45 DEBRIS, 2023-2027 …….. 4.1 Rationale ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 4.2 Vision ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 4.3 Target ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 4.4 Overall framework of the proposed Action Plan ………………………………………………………………. 47 4.5 Estimated economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan ………………….……………………………… 55 4.6 Programs and budget …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59 4.7 M&E mechanism …………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….. 67 5. WAY FORWARD …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 68 5.1 Implementation process …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 69 5.2 Recommendations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70 vi LIST OF BOXES Box 1 BCG Model, a Thailand’s national agenda that supports plastic management..……... 4 Box 2 Recommended instruments under the Honolulu Strategy on the impact reduction of marine plastic debris…………………………………………………………………………. 10 Box 3 Municipal waste disposal in Thailand……………………………………….…………………………… 20 Box 4 Informal sector drives waste collection in Bangkok, Thailand …………………………….. 20 Box 5 An analysis of plastic recycling situation in Thailand ……………………………………………. 22 Box 6 Impacts of marine plastic debris on rare marine animals …………………………………….. 24 Box 7 Case of a marine animal fatality caused by ingestion of plastic wastes during 2018-2019 ……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………… 24 Box 8 Monitoring impacts of marine plastic debris on coral reefs ………………………….………. 25 Box 9 Researches on microplastics in coastal areas of Thailand ………………………..…………… 26 Box 10 PPP Plastics ……………………………………………………….…………………………………………………. 29 Box 11 Chew Khew green catering ……………………..…………………………………………………………… 29 Box 12 The trash return to shore project ………………..……………………………………………………….. 34 Box 13 Gender roles and framework in marine plastic debris management …………………….. 36 Box 14 Extended producer responsibility ……………………………………………….………………………… 37 Box 15 Summary of policies, plans, and target at different levels for the management of marine plastic debris ……………………….………..……………………….………..………………………. 39 Box 16 Stakeholder consultation meeting to formulate the background document to the Action Plan …………………….…….……………………….………..……………………….………..………… 41 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Framework for the management of marine plastic debris …………………………….……. 3 Figure 2 Relevance between the proposed Draft Action Plan to others …………………………… 5 Figure 3 Background document to Thailand’s Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris preparation process …………….…………….…………….…………….…………….…………….……… 6 Figure 4 Share of total plastics production and consumption for the different world regions 8 Figure 5 Overview of amounts of micro and macro plastics lost to the environment based on research findings …...………...………...………...………...………...………...………...………...… 9 Figure 6 The amount of plastics pellets produced, imported, exported, and used in Thailand between 2007 – 2018 ……..…...……..…...……..…...……..…...……..…...……..…...……..…...… 17 Figure 7 Cycle of plastic waste generation in 2018 …………………………………………………..…….…. 18 Figure 8 Proportion of domestic product utilization of plastics in 2018 ……………………………… 19 Figure 9 Waste composition at the sampling disposal sites ……………………………………………….. 19 Figure 10 Composition of plastic wastes at the sampling disposal utilities ……………..………….. 20 Figure 11 Estimated collection for recycling (CFR) rates for each type of plastic resin in 2018 21 Figure 12 Amount of water-bound wastes found in 5 rivers that discharge into the Gulf of Thailand during 2017 – 2020 ………..……….………..……….………..……….………..……….………. 22 Figure 13 Sources of marine plastic debris ……………………………………………………………..…………. 23 Figure 14 Driving forces and overall situations of marine plastic debris …………………..…………. 33 Figure 15 Measures under the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I, 2020-2022 35 Figure 16 Proportion of interviewees and stakeholder meeting attendees from various sectors ………..……….………..……….………..……….………..……….………..……….………..……….…… 40 Figure 17 Proportion of women and men at the interviews and attended the meetings .……. 40 Figure 18 Overall framework of the proposed Action Plan ……….………………..……….………..…… 47 Figure 19 Proportion of budget utilization for measures of the proposed Action Plan …………… 59 Figure 20 Budget required by year to implement the proposed Action Plan ……………………….… 59 Figure 21 Recommendations for better further implementation ………………………………………..… 70 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Key instruments under the Mediterranean "Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management" ….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….… 11 Table 2 Macroplastic pollutants including bags ………………………………………………………….. 12 Table 3 Thailand’s effort on marine plastic debris at a glance of ………………………………….. 17 Table 4 Key operation that responds to the marine plastic debris management ………….. 27 Table 5 Summary of the measures implemented in the national case studies at different states ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 Table 6 Summary of measures implemented in the local case studies at different states 35 Table 7 Targets and indicators of the proposed Action Plan on Marine Plastic ……………… 46 Table 8 Framework of analysis of the economic impacts on the proposed Action Plan…… 55 Table 9 Assumptions required for the estimation of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan ………………………………………………………………………………………… 56 Table 10 Estimation of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan on ………………… 57 Table 11 Sensitivity analysis of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan ………… 58 Table 12 Recommended detailed plans/projects, budget, and responsible agencies ……… 60 viii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AIT Asian Institute of Technology ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations BCG Bio-Circular-Green Economy CFR Collection for Recycling COBSEA Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia DDPM Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation DEQP Department of Environmental Quality Promotion DIP Department of industrial Promotion DIW Department of Industrial Works DLA Department of Local Administration DMCR Department of Marine and Coastal Resources DNP Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation DOF Department of Fisheries DOT Department of Tourism EAS East Asia Summit EJF Environmental Justice Foundation EPR Extended Producer Responsibility EU European Union FDA Food and Drug Administration FPO Fiscal Policy Office FTI Federation of Thai Industries GDP Gross Domestic Product GGGI Global Ghost Gear Initiative GHG Greenhouse Gas GISTDA Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) GIZ German Agency for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) HDPE High-Density Polyethene IEAT Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene LGBTI Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex LGO Local Government Organization LLDPE Linear Low-Density Polyethylene M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships MD Marine Department MHESI Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation MNRE Minister of Natural Resources and Environment MOC Ministry of Commerce MOE Ministry of Education ix MOF Ministry of Finance MOI Ministry of Interior MOT Ministry of Transport MOTS Ministry of Tourism and Sport MOU Memorandum of Understanding MRF Material Recovery Facility MTEC National Metal and Materials Technology Center NGO Nongovernmental Organization NRCT National Research Council of Thailand NSTDA National Science and Technology Development Agency NXPO Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council OIE Office of Industrial Economics OPM Office of the Prime Minister PA Polyamide PAT Port Authority of Thailand PAYT Pay-As-You-Throw PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl PCD Pollution Control Department PCR Post-consumer Resin PET Polyethylene Terephthalate PIPO Port In and Port Out PITH Plastics Institute of Thailand PONRE Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment. PP Polypropylene PPP Plastics Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastic and Waste Management PRD Government Public Relations Department PRO Producer Responsibility Organization RD The Revenue Department PVC Polyvinyl Chloride R&D Research and Development RAPMALI Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter REO Regional Environmental Office SDGs Sustainable Development Goals TAT The Tourism Authority of Thailand TBCSD Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development TCD The Customs Department TEI Thailand Environment Institute TIPMSE Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for Sustainable Environment TISI Thai Industrial Standards Institute TISTR Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research UNEP United Nations Environment Programme x EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Plastics help stimulate the global economy and their production alone contributed to 3 percent of the worldwide economy. Global plastics In Thailand, plastic production is on an increasing production was about 388 million tons in 2015; trend. Production of plastic pellets has continued production has on average increased by about 9 to increase since 2007, and around 9.01 million percent per year since 1950. Globally, tons was produced in 2018. Import and export of approximately 3.0 million tons of microplastics and plastics are on the rise with a surplus in the overall 5.3 million tons of macroplastics is lost to the trade of plastics. Consumption of plastic pellets in environment annually. 2018 accounted for 5.53 million tons, as shown in Figure 6. Substantially recycled plastics were also In 2015, Thailand was ranked as the sixth largest produced and imported as materials for producer of marine plastic debris worldwide after manufacturing. China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Several driving forces led to the increase The total amount of plastic waste generated is of marine plastic debris in Thailand. 1.91 million tons per year, of which 0.06 tons is mismanaged, with an estimated 0.02–0.03 tons • The rise in population and change in consumers’ of plastic waste ending up as marine debris. A behavior to accommodate a more convenient survey of 22 disposal sites found that 24 percent lifestyle have increased demand for plastics, of total municipality’s solid waste was plastic. The especially for single-use plastics. most common plastic waste products are plastic • Technological advancement has enabled the bags, followed by plastic bottles and other plastic manufacturing of diverse and durable plastic packaging. High-density polyethene (HDPE) is the products. most common type of plastic waste, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene • The national economy and tourism have terephthalate (PET). Plastic waste is also generated expanded. from sea-based sources, maritime human • Domestic growth in online shopping and more activities, and transboundary plastic waste. food delivery have contributed to increased demand for plastic packaging. Thailand recycled about 17.6 percent of the key plastic resins in 2018. This falls short of the • During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 15 National Plastic Waste Management Roadmap percent average increase of plastic waste in the 2018-2030 target of 22 percent for 2018. Due to country—62 percent in Bangkok alone. 1 the technology and relatively high capacities for processing PET packaging into various applications, • Environment and natural disasters contribute to as well as the demand from global end-use the lack of proper waste disposal and markets for recycled PET, including some high-end unintentional release of wastes into the sea, applications, already exists in Thailand, PET particularly from disposal facilities and sites packaging has the highest collection for recycling located on high slopes or near reservoirs. rates compared to HDPE, LDPE, and PP. • Ineffective waste management systems and law enforcement lead to inadequate waste Plastic wastes regularly found in estuaries, segregation and plastic recycling. Lack of basic beaches, surface water bodies, and seabeds have infrastructure for recycling results in a small adversely affected water quality and ecosystems. amount of waste recycling. Plastic waste deteriorates habitats and spawning sites of marine animals, disrupts the lives of the 1 Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) (2021) calculated based on the data from Kasikorn Research and Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. xi animals, and is detrimental to fishing and Thailand experiences adverse impacts of marine preservation of tourist sites in coastal areas. plastic debris. The country is working to address Marine plastic debris can disintegrate into this increasing global issue by adopting a circular particles of less than 5 millimeters in diameter economy approach and extended producer (microplastics). Humans ingest microplastics responsibility (EPR) system to strengthen its action through the food chain when they consume in improving the national plastic recycling targets planktons and marine animals. and reducing impact of marine plastic debris. xii Thailand shares other countries' concerns about provinces to 95 percent, reduce plastic waste in the need to address the problem of marine main tourist attractions by 50 percent compared plastic debris. The government has cooperated to 2022, and correctly handle 80 percent of waste with the international community, especially the from commercial fishing boats. The second target ASEAN member states, to develop regional is to reduce the impact of marine plastic debris on frameworks and action plans for cooperation on ecosystems by decreasing coral areas damaged by marine plastic debris. Domestically, Thailand marine debris by 50 percent of targeted areas adopted the 2018–2030 Roadmap on Plastic compared to 2022. Waste Management and Phase I of the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2020–2022), which The document estimates that the Action Plan recommended a voluntary ban on the use of seven requires cooperation and coordination from types of single-use plastics by 2020–2022 (oxo- relevant sectors and a public-private-people degradable plastic, cap seal, microbead, grocery partnerships to implement the action. The action bags less than 36 microns thick, straws, cups less plan will likely cost THB 3.0 billion over five years, than 100 microns thick, and Styrofoam for food but in return, the economic benefit is expected to containers). However, the ban is not legally be approximately THB 3.5 billion (US$111.47 binding and does not have a direct impact on the million), including the net present value of amount of marine plastic debris. recycled plastics and the coral restoration cost and opportunity cost of tourism sector over the There is a further need to increase coherence, implementing period in the amount of around THB coordination, and synergies between existing 1.5 billion (US$48.06 million) and THB 2.0 billion mechanisms and enhance cooperation and (US$63.41 million), respectively. governance to better address marine litter and microplastic challenges. There is also a gap in sea- The background document to the Action Plan will based source management, especially from be presented to the National Environment Board maritime human activities. Further analysis was for approval through the Sub-committee on thus required to overcome such shortcomings and Management of Plastic and Electronic Waste, in provide a technical basis in developing an Action which the Pollution Control Department (PCD) is the Plan. This background document to the Action secretariat. The informed Action Plan is to be Plan aims to provide a framework for actions by integrated into the Action Plan on Plastic Waste relevant sectors in addressing marine plastic Management Phase II to achieve targets set by the debris from both land-based and sea-based Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030 sources, preventing unintentional release of the and incorporated with ASEAN Regional Action Plan wastes into the sea and reducing their impacts on for Combating Marine Debris 2021–2025. marine ecosystems. The study identifies 7 recommendations for The background document recommends a better implementation on marine plastic waste package of combined instruments applicable to management in Thailand. These 7 different sources of plastic leakages into the sea. recommendations are: The background document was developed 1) Adjust relevant policies, laws and regulations 2) Promote a Public-Private-People mechanism considering literature review, gap analysis, and on waste segregation three stakeholder consultations with relevant 3) Require a waste management tax system authorities. It covers the four phases of the 4) Create a circular economy ecosystem for the plastics value chain: plastic production, plastic whole value chain consumption, plastic waste management, and 5) Form a framework of actions on gender reduction of environmental impact from marine 6) Analyze sea-based sources plastic debris, as shown in Figure ES.1. 7) Research and innovate plastic waste management This background document to the Action Plan focuses on reducing the amount of plastic waste from land-based and sea-based sources. It aims to improve waste management efficiency in coastal xii xiii INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Production and consumption of various plastics have continued to expand due to their light weight, durability, and low production cost. In 2018, domestic consumption of plastics accounted for over 6.07 million tons. Most plastics are used for packaging, manufacturing of electric and electronic appliances, construction tools, automobile parts, household appliances, safety equipment, and farming tools. The COVID-19 pandemic (2019– 2021) has increased national plastic use by approximately 15 percent due to increased use of single-use plastic for food delivery, with approximately 1.5–2 million pieces of plastic for personal protection disposed of daily. 2 The domestic production and consumption of plastics generate approximately 1.91 million tons of plastic waste annually. Most of the wastes are not recycled or properly disposed of and leak into waterways and end up in the sea. In addition, plastic waste is generated from sea-based sources such as maritime human activities and transboundary plastic waste. Plastic wastes regularly found in estuaries, beaches, surface water bodies, and sea floors have adversely affected water quality and ecosystems. Plastic waste deteriorates habitats and spawning sites of marine animals, disrupts the lives of animals, and is detrimental to fishing and the preservation of tourist sites in coastal areas. Marine plastic debris can disintegrate into particles of less than 5 millimeters in diameter (microplastics). Humans can ingest microplastics through the food chain when they consume planktons and marine animals. Several countries have become more aware of the problems and impacts of marine plastic debris and carried out more studies on the issues. For example, a study in 2015 3 ranked Thailand as the sixth-highest plastic waste producer in the world. This finding prompted the adoption of the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030, the appointment of the Sub-committee on Plastic Waste Management (currently merged in the Sub-committee on the Management of Plastic and Electronic Wastes) under the National Environment Board, the establishment of a task force on plastic waste management, and development of the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I 2020–2022. Photo: Shutterstock / solarseven 2 TEI. 2020. Plastic Waste Soars during COVID-19 Pandemic. http://www.tei.or.th/th/highlight_detail.php?event_id=783. 3 Jambeck, J. R., R. Geyer, C. Wilcox, T. R. Siegler, M. Perryman, A. Andrady, R. Narayan, and K. L. Law. 2015. “Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean.” Science 347 (6223): 768–771. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260352. 2 Furthermore, a series of consultations with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries on coordinating efforts to address marine wastes further led to the adoption of the 2019 Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Region, the 2020 ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris, and the 2021 ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris 2021–2025. Nevertheless, Thailand still lacks a specific action plan and mechanism to address marine plastic debris. To this end, the Thai government requested assistance from the World Bank in providing inputs to support the development of a draft action plan that comprehensively prevents and reduces waste generation from all known sources and consolidates future actions by every relevant sector. 1.2 Objectives The background document to Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris 2023–2027 provides a framework for actions by relevant sectors in supporting the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018– 2030. In addition, the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I 2020–2022 was endorsed by the Cabinet to enable the development of the next phase of the action plan with emphasis on both land-based and sea-based sources. 1.3 Principal concepts The background document includes recommendations on the principal concepts of the Action Plan which consist of management of plastics through their entire life cycle, including impacts from marine plastic debris, adoption of a circular economy, and enabling of public-private-people partnerships. (a) Management of plastics through their entire life cycle, including impacts from marine plastic debris, prevents plastic leakage from land-based and sea-based sources into the sea and reduces the environmental impact of marine plastics. It focuses on common types of plastic wastes found on beaches and in the sea and on four phases of action: (i) plastic production, (ii) plastic consumption, (iii) plastic waste management, and (iv) reduction of environmental impact from marine plastic debris (see Figure 1). Figure 1. Framework for the management of marine plastic debris "Reduce "Prevent plastic leakage environmental impact from marine from land-based and sea-based sources into the sea." plastic debris" (b) Circular economy recommends mobilizing the economy by recycling materials used throughout their life cycle to reduce resource utilization and waste generation in production and enable low waste service. The circular economy focuses on re-designing supply chain to consider the products' durability and ease of repair and disassembling (for recycling). A circular economy also considers products added values and criteria development for recycled and alternative materials. In the consumption phase, where environmentally sound certification reflects the longevity of product utilization, basic infrastructure is made available for waste segregation and recycling. The concepts also call for improvement in waste management and expansion of manufacturers' responsibility for recycling and waste disposal. (c) Public-private-people partnerships can be adopted to manage plastics through their life cycle and other actions to reduce impacts from marine plastic debris. The concept expands the current public- private partnerships to enable engagement of the people, who are both consumers and significant contributors to the management of plastics in the post-consumption phase. The concept calls for actions to consider the people in designing and developing projects to ensure their participation in 3 the projects' implementation and enhance the public capacity to mobilize the projects that meet people’s demands. The concepts also vouch for promoting equality in gender for people’s participation in planning and implementing activities, adequate provision of information and equitable capacity building, and the development of facilities and environments that facilitate actions by women and enhance women’s roles in decision-making processes. 1.4 Relevance to current plans and policies The background document to the Action Plan was prepared per national development strategies, development plans, and international commitments. There are three levels of relevant policy, plans, and strategies: (1) national plans and strategies, (2) regional cooperative framework, and (3) international obligations. The links between these relevant policies, plans, and strategies are shown in Figure2. First, the overall national development strategies guided development directions by the National Strategy (2018–2037). Strategy 5 of the National Strategy supports eco-friendly development and growth and building a green economy in coastal areas. The second-level plans then translate the development strategy into master plans at the national level, such as the social and economic development plan and the national reform strategy. The third-level plans then follow the second-level plan on a specific issue such as the action plan on solid waste management and the action plan on plastic waste management. In addition, Thailand has set the bio-circular-green (BCG) economy as a national agenda in 2021, and the current framework has been drafted (see Box 1). The circular economy pays particular attention to the 3Cs of plastic life-cycle: reduce consumption, build net economy from recycling, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollution. Box 1. BCG model, a Thailand national agenda that supports plastic management Box 1.1. BCG model, a Thailand national agenda that supports plastic management The Thai government strongly promotes country development by giving a high priority to a new economic model known as ‘BCG’ to develop three areas of economy: bio-economy, circular economy, Bio- C ircular and green economy. Economy Economy Circular economy has been recognized to stimulate economic growth by using less resources, reducing GHG emissions, reducing environmental impacts from waste, and increasing the utilization of Green Economy waste. Additionally, it can support social sustainability and COVID-19 economic resilience. The targets for driving the BCG model for the circular economy are developed and called the 3Cs: C1: Closing the loop. Reduce one-fourth of required natural resources by maximizing the circularity of materials and using technology and innovation. C2: Creating new economy growth. Stimulate a new economy growth of 1 percent gross domestic product (GDP) or not less than THB 200 billion. C3: Combating climate change and pollution—transition to sustainable society. Reduce pollution in the environment and the GHG emissions of not less than 2 million tons of CO2eq and move toward the eco- friendly society. Thailand is transforming toward the circular economy as it realizes that it is an economic system focusing on value creation; promoting a balance of human and nature; using science, technology, and innovation; and paving a way toward sustainable consumption and production, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, the circular economy can contribute to the achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement on the GHG emission reduction, which is highly connected to the 20-year National Strategy and SDGs. One of the mechanisms to drive the circular economy in Thailand has been through the key projects/focus sectors/co-benefits model to create success cases, especially plastic management. Source: Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. 2020. Strategy for Driving BCG Economic Model Towards Sustainable Development: Circular Economy. Electronic file. 4 Figure 2. Relevance between the proposed Draft Action Plan to others Proposed Thailand’s Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris, 2023-2027 5 The regional cooperative framework provides directions on marine plastic debris under the Bangkok Declarations, ASEAN Framework, and ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris to which ASEAN member states have the political commitment to tackle plastic waste. The overall goal of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is to consolidate, coordinate, and facilitate cooperation and implement the necessary environmental policies, strategies, and measures for sustainable, integrated management of marine litter in the East Asian Seas region. The Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAPMALI) of COBSEA directly supports participating countries in delivering SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The SDGs are the foundation for global and national development, and the informed Action Plan responds to Target 14.1: Reduce marine pollution and other related SDGs’ Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impacts of cities and Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation. The informed Action Plan also indirectly contributes to Target 5.5: Women in leadership, Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policy and planning, Target 17.3: Additional financial resources, and Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships. 1.5 Need for an Action Plan Thailand shares other countries’ concerns about the need to address the problem of marine plastic debris. The country has cooperated with the international community, especially the ASEAN member states, in developing regional frameworks and an action plan for cooperation on marine plastic debris. Domestically, Thailand adopted the 2018–2030 Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management and Phase I of the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2020–2022). The roadmap and action plan Phase I recommended a voluntary ban on the use of seven types of single-use plastics by 2020–2022 (oxo-degradable plastic, cap seal, microbead, grocery bags less than 36 microns thick, straws, cups less than 100 microns thick, and Styrofoam for food containers). However, it had no legal binding and did not adequately address the illustrated correlations between marine plastic debris management and the associated problems. There is also a gap in sea-based source management, especially from maritime human activities. There is a further need to increase coherence, coordination, and synergies between existing mechanisms and enhance cooperation and governance to better address marine litter and microplastic challenges. Further analysis was required to overcome such shortcomings and provide a technical basis in developing this background document to the Action Plan. The background document aims to provide a framework for actions by relevant sectors in addressing marine plastic debris from both land-based and sea-based sources, preventing unintentional release of the wastes into the sea, and reducing their impacts on marine ecosystems. 1.6 Preparation process for the proposed Action Plan The background document to the Action Plan was prepared with a participatory approach. In the preparation process, three stakeholder consultations were carried out to ensure that all necessary measures were considered in the formulation of inputs to the Action Plan. The flowchart of the preparation process is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3. Background document to Thailand’s Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris preparation process 1st stakeholder consultation to set scope of 2nd stakeholder consultation on inputs to background document to Action Plan the proposed Action Plan Draft Finalize background background document to Action document to Plan Action Plan 3rd stakeholder consultation on inputs to the proposed Action Plan 6 7 STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF MARINE PLASTICS DEBRIS This chapter presents a literature review of the marine plastic debris situation at the global and domestic levels. The impact of marine plastic debris on the environment is directly correlated with plastic production, plastic consumption, post-consumption management, and impact mitigation measures. It also shows the international level and measures used to address the problem overseas and their potential adoption in Thailand. The literature review method was adopted to create a foundation of knowledge on plastic waste management at both the international and national levels. The findings were integrated to address the question of reducing marine plastic debris in Thailand. The review describes plastic wastes in Thailand, their impacts, and actions taken to address the issue. The results were used to prepare this background document to the Action Plan. 2.1 Global status on marine plastic This global report on marine plastic 4 provides a comprehensive global mapping of plastic losses to the environment throughout the plastic value chain. The summarized key messages are as follows: • Plastic production contributed to 3 percent of the global economy. Global plastics production was about 388 million tons in 2015, and plastics production has increased by about 9 percent per year since 1950. The majority of plastics are produced in China, North America, and Western Europe, as shown in figure 4. 4 Figure 4. Share of total plastic production and consumption for different world regions 4 4 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2018. Mapping of Global Plastics Value Chain and Plastics Losses to the Environment: With a Particular Focus on Marine Environment. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/pt-br/node/27212. 8 • On an annual basis, approximately 3.0 million tons of microplastics and 5.3 million tons of macroplastics are lost to the environment (soil, water, and sea), as shown in Figure 5. The most significant sources of microplastic losses were from abrasion of tires (1.41 million tons) and city dust (0.65 million tons), which include abrasion of plastics from shoe soles, exterior paints, and road markings. In addition, the disintegration of macroplastics is another significant contribution of microplastics.4 • The primary source of macroplastic loss is the mismanagement of municipal solid waste (open dumping and inadequate/inappropriate landfilling), contributing approximately 3.87 million tons of plastics lost to the environment. The loss is about half of the total macroplastics lost to the environment. However, it is the most significant amount of plastic losses compared to other sources. 5 • The majority of macroplastics in the ocean or coastal areas come from general consumer goods for recreational activities, fishing, and maritime-related activities. As a result, plastic is lost through either littering or inadequate waste management.5 According to the beach litter sampling by the Ocean Conservancy, among the top 10 commonly observed macroplastics in marine debris are food wrappers/containers, caps and lids, beverage bottles, and plastic bags. 6 • Sea-based sources of marine plastic debris include weathering of fishing nets, fishing gear, floats, and other equipment that disintegrate macroplastics to microplastics. Microplastics related to maritime activities are directly lost to oceans.5 Figure 5. Overview of amounts of micro and macro plastics lost to the environment based on research findings 5 5 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2018. Mapping of Global Plastics Value Chain and Plastics Losses to the Environment: With a Particular Focus on Marine Environment. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/pt-br/node/27212. 6 Ocean Conservancy, 2018, the Beach and Beyond, Retrieved from https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international- coastal-cleanup/annual-data-release/ 9 2.2 Global management of marine plastic debris Global policies consist of binding and nonbinding agreements, focusing on addressing plastic pollution from sea-based and/or land-based sources. There are several international binding agreements such as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution caused by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matters signed in 1972 (the London Convention and related amended Protocols), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) signed in 1978 (and related amendments), the MARPOL Annex V stating that “discharge 7 into the sea of all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products is prohibited,” and the 2006 amended London Protocol prohibiting dumping 8 of wastes at sea, which includes plastics. The distinction between the London Convention/Protocol and MARPOL is that the former regulates disposal of land- generated waste (dumping) at sea while the latter governs disposal of ship-generated waste (‘discharge’) at sea (Lewis 2001). In addition, under the Basel Convention (an international legal instrument regulating the movement and management of waste), the amendment to Annex VIII, with the insertion of a new entry A3210, clarifies the scope of plastic waste to be hazardous and therefore subject to the Prior Informed Consent procedure. The 2011 Honolulu Strategy: A Global Framework for Prevention and Management of Marine Debris is worth mentioning as it manages both sea-based and land-based sources of plastic pollution. It also serves as a planning tool for further development of national-specific plans/strategies. The strategy consists of three goals and associated tactics to reduce the amount and impact of marine debris from land-based and sea-based sources and marine debris accumulations, although it did not clearly distinguish different types of plastic products/pollutants that stand as key sources of marine debris. However, the strategy provides good recommendations on policy instruments to address impacts of marine debris, which could be adopted for Thailand’s action plan (see Box 2). Box 2. Recommended instruments from the Honolulu Strategy on reducing the impact of marine plastic debris Regulation instrument: Using technologies and methods to effectively locate and remove marine debris accumulation; building capacity to co-manage marine debris removal response; and establishing appropriate regional, national, and local mechanisms to facilitate the removal of marine debris Economic instrument: Developing or strengthening incentives to remove abandoned, lost, discarded fishing gear and other significant accumulations of marine debris encountered at sea Information instrument: Education and outreach on marine debris impacts and removal The European countries developed most regional policies related to marine plastic debris. The Mediterranean and the European Union (EU) policies, in the form of directives/regulations binding upon member states, are set to achieve concrete outcomes. 9 In the Mediterranean region, the Parties of the Barcelona Convention 10 in 2013 agreed on the Mediterranean ‘Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management’, which is summarized in Table 1. 7 ‘Discharge’ is defined as “any release howsoever caused from a ship” but specifically excludes “dumping within the meaning of the London Convention” (Lewis 2001). 8 ‘Dumping’ is defined as “any deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter” (Lewis 2001). 9 Other regional agreements, apart from those related to Mediterranean agreements, require member states to develop and enact context-specific legislation and are nonbinding in nature. 10 The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (full name) is a regional convention adopted in 1976 to prevent and abate pollution from ships, aircraft, and land-based sources in the Mediterranean Sea. This includes, but is not limited to dumping, run-off, and discharges. The Parties agreed to cooperate and assist in dealing with pollution emergencies, monitoring, and scientific research 10 Table 1. Key instruments under the Mediterranean “Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management” Production Consumption Post-consumption/ Impact reduction waste management Sea-based Work with the plastic Conduct regular cleanups Design national source industry to establish with a priority on protected monitoring programs procedures and areas and identify hotspots on “marine litter,” methods for minimizing for litter, including traditional and monitor impacts the decomposable national marine litter cleanup on ecosystems, and characteristics of macro campaigns and international support further plastics to reduce coastal cleanup campaigns, as research more microplastics. well as adopt-a-beach broadly. campaigns, and fishing-for- litter practices and campaigns. Ensure that ships using their ports are aware of MARPOL Annex V requirements. Source: Mediterranean Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management 2013. In the EU, several types of instruments have been introduced to tackle both sea-based and land-based sources of plastic pollution at various stages of the life cycle of plastic products. For example, the EU Directive 2019/904 requires responsible handling of plastic in fishing gear (extended producer responsibility [EPR]) whereby producers must cover the costs of separate collection of waste delivered to adequate port reception facilities, including subsequent transport and treatment. The 2019 directive also covers a mix of instruments to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic products, including a ban on the sale of certain types of single- use plastic products in the marketplace, regulations for responsible handling of plastic (for example, recycling targets), and a mix of information instruments (for example, education or outreach, labels or placards). The regulatory instruments such as ‘prohibition’ or ‘ban’ tend to be used in conjunction with the promotion of alternatives to plastic material. Where alternatives are available, more prohibitive instruments such as a ban are recommended. However, for products where alternatives are not readily available, the policy aims to ensure responsible handling of waste (for example, EPR). Also, both regulatory and economic instruments tend to be supplemented with information instruments to help change behavior. As per the review, the pollution of microplastics has not been specifically addressed. As all beverage cups and food containers account for approximately half of total “marine litter” counted on the beaches of member states, it is estimated that the mix of measures required by the EU Directive 2019/904 cover 86 percent of the single-use plastics found in beach counts of member states 11. The review of policy instruments at the national level (mainly, but not exclusively) covers selected countries in six regions including North America (the United States and Canada), Europe (Ireland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherland, and Spain), Asia (India, China, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam), Latin America (Columbia, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay), Africa (South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria), and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). Some of these countries are at a similar developmental stage to Thailand (those in Asia and Latin America). In contrast, others are developed countries pursuing policy instruments considered medium-term and long-term actions for Thailand. Table 2 provides an overview of instruments used by different countries to address macro plastic pollutants from land-based and sea-based sources at various stages of the life cycle of plastic products. 11 Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the Reduction of the Impact of Certain Plastic Products on the Environment 11 Table 2. Macroplastic pollutants including bags Production Consumption Post-consumption/ Impact reduction waste management Land-based Regulatory India: The 2016 Plastic Waste Paraguay: The 2015 Promotion of the Switzerland: The 2008 Ordinance on United States: The 2006 Marine instrument Management Rules requires carry bags Reduction of the Use of Polyethylene Plastic Beverage Containers requires dealers, Debris Research, Prevention, and with thickness greater than 50 microns requires owners of supermarkets, self-services, manufacturers, and importers who supply Reduction Act requires the federal made of virgin or recycled plastic to be warehouses, and shops to replace the use of beverages in nonrefillable PET or metal government to educate the public on available for sales. single-use polyethylene bags, with reusable containers to take back all nonrefillable sources of and threats associated with Korea, Rep.: The 2006 Decree No. 202 ones or made with alternative biodegradable containers at all points of sale during marine debris and approaches to Establishing Rules on the Standards of noncontaminated and reusable materials. opening hours and pass such nonrefillable reduce/prevent its adverse impacts on Product Packaging Materials and containers on for recycling at their own the marine environment. Products prohibits the use of polyvinyl expense. chloride (PVC) shrink-wrapped packaging materials by manufacture. Economic China: The 2017 Administrative Ireland: The 2001 Waste Management Australia: The Waste Reduction and Panama: The 2021 Reduction and instrument Measures for the Paid Use of Plastic Bags (Amendment) Act No. 36 requires a levy charge Recycling Act 2011 introduces a subsidy Progressive Replacement of Single-Use at Commodity Retailing Places requires for plastic bags supplied to customers at the scheme—the Container Refund Scheme— Plastics Regulation of tax exemption, commodity retailing places to sell plastic supermarket, service station, or other sales which pays consumers according to empty for example, income tax and dividend bags at a marked price. outlet. Apart from the disincentive-based beverage containers collected and waste tax, to companies specializing in the Vietnam – The Circular No. 159/2012/TT- instrument, the 2001 Waste Management management service providers for empty conversion and industrial processing of BTC requires a charge on all multilayer (Farm Plastics) Regulations, S.I. No. 341 also containers sent for recycling. The scheme solid waste and biodegradable plastic bags produced or processed from requires producers of farm plastics to operate a also requires manufacturers to contribute to materials as well as industrial HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, or other plastic deposit and refund scheme whereby each the cost of refund amounts paid for the recycling, composting, and waste- membranes (polypropy-lene [PP], customer must pay a refundable deposit in containers and the cost of administering the related plants polyamide [PA], and so on). relation to a bought farm plastic to a producer, scheme. who must then repay the amount equal to the deposit upon return. Information Colombia: The 2016 Regulation of the United Kingdom: The 2007 Producer Switzerland: The 2008 Ordinance on Spain: The Royal Decree No. 293/2018 instrument Rational Use of Plastic Bags requires Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Beverage Containers requires (reducing the consumption of plastic plastic bag manufacturers to incorporate Regulation requires the seller to provide manufacturers and importers who supply bags and creating the Registry of information that guides their consumers information to consumers of the goods sold by beverages in nonrefillable PET to provide Producers) requires the Ministry of about the use, including an him/her about (a) the return, collection, and information about the return and refund of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food, and environmental message related to the recovery systems available to them, (b) their nonrefillable containers. Environment to conduct public rational use of bag in a minimum size, a role in contributing to the reuse, recovery, and information campaigns on the carrying capacity of the bag expressed in recycling of packaging and packaging waste, (c) negative consequences on the kilograms, and recommendations for the the meaning of related markings on packaging environment of excessive plastic reuse of the bag. 12 Production Consumption Post-consumption/ Impact reduction waste management placed on the market that relate to individual consumption and the effects of their recovery and recycling obligations. abandonment. Sea based Regulatory United States: The 2006 Marine Debris Europe (United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom: The 2008 Merchant United States: The 2006 Marine Debris instrument Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act France, Sweden, and Norway): A voluntary Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage Research, Prevention, and Reduction requires the federal government to attempt made by the commercial gillnet fishing and Garbage from Ships) Regulations Act requires federal government undertake research and development fleets to set a ‘Netting Code of Good Practice’ prohibits irresponsible handling of plastics agencies to undertake marine debris (R&D) of alternatives to fishing gear to minimize gear conflict and gear loss whereby no disposal into the sea of any mapping, identification, impact posing threats to marine environment to whereby the gillnet fishing operators shall only plastics or plastic mixed with garbage. assessment, prevention, and removal reduce adverse impacts of lost and set the amount of gear that can be handled efforts, with a focus on marine debris discarded fishing gear on living marine regularly and efficiently, mark gear properly, posing a threat to living marine resources. include the identity of the vessel, and pay close resources. attention to weather patterns and do not set gear when poor weather is expected and so on. Economic — — Cyprus: The Cypriot Port Authority, in Brunei Darussalam: The 2005 instrument accordance with national and EU legislation, Prevention of Pollution of the Sea has implemented an ‘Indirect Fee System’ Order requires the owner of the ship which means that every ship entering to pay for recovery of costs for Cypriot ports is charged a fee that gives it removing refuse, garbage, waste, the right to dispose of its waste, regardless plastics, effluents, and dangerous of whether or not the ship will actually pollutants discharged from ships. dispose of any waste. Information — — United Kingdom: The 2008 Merchant United States: The 2006 Marine instrument Shipping - Prevention of Pollution by Sewage Debris Research, Prevention and and Garbage from Ships Regulations requires Reduction Act requires federal every ship to keep on board a garbage record government agencies to undertake book (garbage discharge or incineration), and marine debris mapping, identification, in the event of a disposal, an escape, or an impact assessment, prevention, and accidental loss, an entry must be made removal efforts, with a focus on recording the circumstances of, and the marine debris posing a threat to living reasons for, the disposal, escape, or marine resources. accidental loss. Also, the ship must display placards which notify the crew and any passengers of the requirements for the disposal of garbage. 13 Source: Author’s compilation based mainly on Karasik, R., Vegh, T., Diana, Z., Bering, J., Caldas, J., Pickle, A., Rittschof, D., Virdin., J. 2020. 20 Years of Government Responses to the Global Plastic Pollution Problem: The Plastics Policy Inventory. NI X 20-05. Durham, NC: Duke University. 14 Regarding the instruments used to reduce the impact from marine plastic debris, all instruments employed to tackle the microplastic pollutants are regulation-based, focusing on the ban of certain products containing microbeads. For example, New Zealand introduced the 2007 Waste Minimization (Microbeads) Regulations which prohibits a wash-off product that contains microbeads for one or more of the following purposes: (a) exfoliation of all or part of a person’s body; (b) cleaning of all or part of a person’s body; (c) abrasive cleaning of any area, surface, or thing; and (d) visual appearance of the product. Similarly, in 2015, the US Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 prohibited the manufacture or the introduction or the delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of a rinse-off cosmetic (include toothpaste) that contains intentionally added plastic microbeads any plastic particle that is less than five millimeters in size and is intended to be used to exfoliate or clean the human body or any part thereof. The 2016 Canadian Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations set a ban on manufacture or import or sale of any toiletries that contain microbeads. A number of measures under the review could be applicable for Thailand (see the next section) such as tax incentives to promote plastic alternatives, fees/charges to reduce single-use plastics, EPR (responsible handling of waste), and the deposit refund scheme. However, further research on the design, implementation, and monitoring that suit Thailand’s context is required to maximize their effectiveness. Global measures applicable for Thailand 1) Measures addressing marine plastic debris at the production phase Regulatory and economic measures are more effective when implementing inexpensive reusable/recyclable alternatives to plastic materials. The regulatory measures such as ‘prohibition’, ‘ban’, and ‘limitation’ of free distribution of plastic products (mainly plastic bags and single-use plastics) and economic measures like ‘fee’, ‘tax’, or ‘charge’ would have been more effective when introduced in conjunction with the economic instruments like ‘tax incentives’ or ‘R&D subsidies’ to promote inexpensive alternatives to plastic materials used for the production of consumer products. The greater the choices of inexpensive alternatives widely available in the market (for both large- and small-scale producers), the higher the level of effectiveness of regulatory/economic measures imposed on plastic consumption would be. For Thailand, both economic and information instruments can be used to promote the alternatives such as incentives for R&D and private investment and tax reduction incentives, combined with labeling and public awareness. Facilitate design and production of recyclable plastic products. The promotion of inexpensive plastic alternatives cannot be accomplished quickly as it requires supports throughout the supply chain. The support includes private investments on R&D, technology, production system transformation, and development of market supply chain and network. Several countries in Europe and North America focused on plastic recycling to reduce plastic waste going to landfills. 2) Measures addressing plastic at the consumption phase Design a mixture of mandatory and voluntary-based measures to limit consumption of single-use plastics. Several countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania have employed the regulatory instruments (limit/ban on plastics) more than other types of policy instruments to limit consumption of plastic bags and single-use plastics. Economic instruments follow these (for example, fee/charge/tax) and information instruments (for example, education/outreach and labeling). Voluntary efforts/initiatives by the private sector have also been observed at a small scale. Such privately led initiatives do not encounter strong social resistance nor require a large budget for operation and monitoring. For Thailand, the private voluntary initiatives to reduce the free distribution of plastic bags and single-use plastics are under way and consumer awareness has been increasing. Therefore, it would be practical for the Thai government to continue the voluntary approach with a clear roadmap, but additional mandatory measures such as ‘limit’ or ‘charge’ on the free distribution of plastic products should be considered and imposed (step by step incrementally) in the medium to long run when inexpensive and reusable alternatives for plastics become more available in the market. Promote consumption of recycle plastics. Complementary with the measures used to facilitate the design and production of recyclable plastic products at the production stage, information measures like ‘clear labeling of recycling’ combined with ‘education and public campaign’ for consumption of products made from recyclable plastics should be considered at the consumption stage. 15 3) Measures addressing the post-consumption phase Enhance the existing recycling system to be more efficient and effective. Several countries in Europe and North America have focused on plastic recycling to reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills. For Thailand, the promotion of plastic recycling has already been mentioned in several strategic and sectoral plans. However, additional effective regulatory and economic measures should be explored to trigger behavioral changes of producers and consumers in plastic waste segregating, collecting, and recycling. Those measures include. - The regulatory measures like EPR requiring producers to take responsibility for handling of plastic waste by calling back their products after use; - Economic measures like ‘deposit refund system’ to encourage the return of used products by consumers; and - The information measures to promote consumers’ awareness about plastic recycling, for example., outreach/public campaign. 4) Measures addressing impacts of marine plastic debris Establish a systematic approach to effectively address dumping/disposal of related plastic products into the sea. The 2006 amendments to the London Protocol and the 2011 amendments to Annex V of the Protocol of MARPOL serve as a worldwide binding policy framework for addressing marine plastic debris. They have been translated into national laws in many countries. For example, Singapore in 2005 and Nigeria in 2007 translated the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 and 1978 Protocol into their own national laws which prohibit the disposal into the sea of all plastics, including, but not limited to, synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags, and incinerator ashes from plastic products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues. For Thailand, current measures to reduce the leakages of plastics-related products into the sea and the lost fish gears have been undertaken on an ad hoc basis (fragmented ways). Therefore, it is suggested that Thailand expedites its operationalization of the London Protocol and the 2011 amendments to Annex V of the Protocol of MARPOL by translating these key binding agreements into national laws. Also, the prevention of lost fish gear should be addressed more systematically through required registration and monitoring system. Complementary to the regulatory measures, the economic measures such as incentives for the return of fish gear, the minimum price set for selling back the old fish gear, or incentives for fishers to bring garbage back to the coast should be explored and subsequently adopted. Photo: Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) 16 2.3 Status of marine plastic debris in Thailand Thailand started work on national solid waste management in 2016 and focusing on plastic waste management in 2018. Information related to management of marine plastic debris in Thailand is given in Table 3. Table 3. Thailand’s efforts on marine plastic debris at a glance Items Amount Unit Land area1 (km2) 511 1,000 sq.km. Population1 68.0 millions Major rivers: Chao Phra Ya (372), Tha Chin (325), Bang Pakong (231), Mae Klong 1,270 km. (132), and Petchaburi (210) Riverways2 (km) Coastline3 (km) 3,148 km. The total amount of municipal solid waste produced in 20184 (million ton) 28.71 million ton Amount of waste properly disposed in 20184 (million ton) 9.81 million ton Amount of waste improperly disposed of, in 20184 (million ton) 6.38 million ton Amount of plastic waste improperly disposed of, in 20184 (million ton) 0.06 million ton Amount of plastic waste disposed of in the ocean in 20185 (million ton) 0.02-0.03 million ton Average municipal solid waste produced in 2018/population (ton) 0.42 ton Average plastic waste produced in 2018/population (kg) 0.88 kg. The Master Plan for National Waste Management in place since 2016 The Roadmap on Plastic waste management plan in place since 2018 The Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I (2020–2022) 2020 Source: 1. The Little Green Databook 2017. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27466 2. Royal Irrigation Department River Gauges Report Archived 2009-08-14 at the Wayback Machine 3. https://www.dmcr.go.th/upload/nws/file/file-626763237.pdf 4. Pollution Control Department (PCD). https://thaimsw.pcd.go.th/report1.php 5. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). https://www.dmcr.go.th/detailAll/35501/nws/141 Plastic production is on an increasing trend. Production of plastic pellets has continued to increase since 2007, and around 9.01 million tons were produced in 2018. Import and export of plastics are on the rise with a surplus in the overall trade of plastics. Consumption of plastic pellets in 2018 accounted for 5.53 million tons, as shown in Figure 6. 12 Substantially recycled plastics were also produced and imported as materials for manufacturing, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6. The amount of plastic pellets produced, imported, exported, and used in Thailand: 2007 to 2018 13 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 12 Pollution Control Department (PCD). 2019. Final Report of Database Development for Plastic Waste Management 13 Pollution Control Department (PCD). 2019. Final Report on Development of a Database on Plastic Waste Management. 17 In 2018, domestic production of plastics accounted for over 6.07 million tons, mainly used for packaging, manufacturing of electric and electronic appliances, construction tools, automobile parts, household appliances, and others 14 as shown in Figure 7. There are approximately 0.06 tons of plastics left after post consumption and recycle, while 0.36 tons were recycled in 2018. Figure 7. Cycle of plastic waste generation in 2018 15 14 Other plastic products were safety equipment, medical devices, filament (for textile), foot wares, recreation, farming tools, etc. 15 Pollution Control Department (PCD). 2020. Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I (2020–2022) 18 Plastic consumption continues to increase and can be divided by type of plastic consumed in 2018, as shown in Figure 8. The study 16 found that most plastic pellets consumed are PP, which accounted for 24.68 percent, followed by HDPE, PS, PVC, LLDPE, and PET. Figure 8. Proportion of production utilization of plastics in 2018 16 The 2019 study16 also found that plastic waste made up 24 percent of the total waste (food wastes and organic matters were found to be the most common and accounted for 55 percent). This study conducted a survey at 22 waste disposal sites. It found the most common type of plastic waste that was dumped with other waste was plastic bags, followed by plastic bottles as shown in Figure 9. The most common type of plastic was HDPE, followed by PP and PET, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 9. Waste composition at the sampling disposal sites 16 16 Pollution Control Department. (2019). Final report on development of a database on plastic waste management. 19 Figure 10. Composition of plastic wastes at the sampling disposal facilities Box 3. Municipal waste disposal in Thailand 17 Most waste generated by local communities are disposed of in landfills. Despite the increase in adoption of more appropriate disposal options and recycling in 2018, roughly 22 percent of waste continued to be poorly disposed of by dumping, open burning, and incineration with small furnaces without adequate pollution control devices. Of 364 waste disposal facilities found in 24 provinces in coastal areas of the country, 302 were found to be ineffectively operated and contribute to inappropriate disposal of 2.29 million tons of wastes or 18 percent of wastes generated in these provinces. Box 4. Informal sector drives waste collection in Bangkok, Thailand According to a study by the Pollution Control Department 18, the informal sector in Bangkok also has a vital role in plastic waste collection and recycling. The estimated total amount of plastic waste collected from all sources in the Sai Mai District (including the sorting within the Sai Mai transfer station) is around 39.6 tons per day. They help save waste management cost of THB 10 million (US$316,000). Across Bangkok's 50 districts, this could amount to THB 500 million (US$15.8 million) per year, which is greater than the average of THB 437 million per year spent for waste collection between 2011 and 2013. However, informal actors work in unhealthy conditions and need to access training and health and safety equipment and negotiate contracts with formal actors. Therefore, they should be more recognized for their positive role and linked with the formal waste management system. Another recent study by the World Bank 19 indicated that the significance of the informal sector is due to the absence of any scalable formal avenues of collection of resins for recycling (for example, source segregation of recyclables, dedicated materials recovery facilities for recyclables). This, in effect, creates a parallel system of recyclables collection alongside formal municipal solid waste collection where materials amassed by the informal and formal collectors are traded through the informal network of junk shops to end up at the factories of processors and recyclers. 17 Pollution Control Department. (2019). Pollution Control Department. (2019b). Report on the situation of community waste disposal sites in Thailand in 2019. Retrieved from http://infofile.pcd.go.th/Waste/Wst2019.pdf (in Thai) 18 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). 2018. “Closing the Loop” Sai Mai District, Bangkok Case Study. Retrieved from https://www.unescap.org/resources/closing-loop-sai-mai-district-bangkok-case-study 19 World Bank Group. 2021. Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank. org/handle/10986/35114 20 Expansion of online shopping and food delivery has further increased the use of plastic packaging. More economic activities along estuaries, in coastal areas, on islands, increase the chance of intentional and unintentional release of plastic wastes into the sea. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 15 percent average increase of plastic waste and 62 percent in Bangkok. 20 There are plastics circularity opportunities through reuse and recycling. PET products are the most commonly bought for reuse and recycling. As a result, the highest rate of plastic pellet recycle is from PET, followed by LDPE/LLDPE, HDPE, and PP, respectively (see Figure 11). Although the recycling rate of plastic pellets in 2018 accounted for only 17.6 percent, there is potential for improvement when suitable measures are installed to encourage reuse and recycling. Figure 11. Estimated collection for recycling (CFR) rates for each type of plastic resin in 2018 21 Most people do not segregate their wastes, and only 17 percent of plastics are recycled (mostly PET). Waste disposal facilities in coastal provinces were found to be poorly operated. Most plastics (PP) are not recycled due to three reasons: (a) more difficult to segregate, (b) plastic pellet price, and (c) small and medium recycling operators lacking adequate capacity. No incentives have been made to pursue a greater drive for plastic recycling. As a result, untreated lightweight plastic wastes are released into reservoirs and the seas and carried away by currents and wind over a considerable distance. Smaller and new recyclers entering the market can no longer rely on high-quality imported feedstock of sorted, recyclable plastics to complement their locally sourced feedstock, especially in the case of lower- value plastics such as HDPE, PP, and LDPE/LLDPE. As a result, larger and more established recyclers who have value chains set up in Thailand dominate the local access to post-consumer materials, making it harder and more expensive for smaller or new recyclers to sort feedstock. This has reduced the price yield for smaller and newer recyclers, thus reducing the value yield. 21 20 TEI (2021) calculated based on the data from Kasikorn Research and Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. 21 World Bank Group. 2021. Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/35114 21 Box 5. An analysis of plastic recycling in Thailand 22 • Despite more demand for plastic pellets in manufacturing packages, most small and medium enterprises could not meet the supply. Moreover, incentives for plastics recycling industry have remained less than those for plastic manufactures, and Thailand generally lacks design standards for recycling and sufficient political interest for recycling. • Several structural challenges cause a market failure for plastic recycling that affect the recycling rate and value yield. They include a lack of an EPR framework for various industries that consume plastics, lack of local demand for recycled plastics, prioritization of collection over recycling, and different sets of fiscal benefits and incentives for the recycling industry compared to the virgin plastics industry. • Other factors that have contributed to the decline in plastic recycle include reduction in prices of oil and plastic pellets, the failure to raise demand for food-grade plastics, obstacles in importing high-quality plastics, and ineffective waste management. These problems were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, where the recycling industry suffered from reduced demand brought by the economic slowdown and lower oil prices. About 11 tons of wastes were collected on beaches in 2020. 23 The amount was less than that of 2017–2019, as shown in Figure 12. This trend was consistent with the decline in water-bound wastes found in estuaries of five major rivers that discharge into the Gulf of Thailand (Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, Bang Pakong, Mae Klong, and Petchaburi Rivers). The waste reduction resulted from campaigns to reduce single-use plastics and estuary waste trapping. Figure 12. Amount of water-bound wastes found in 5 rivers that discharge into the Gulf of Thailand during 2017-2020 23 22 World Bank Group. 2021. Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank. org/handle/10986/35114 23 Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). 2020. (Draft) National State of Coastal and Marine Resources and Coastal Erosion 2020. (Photocopied) (in Thai) 22 The most common marine plastic debris found in estuaries and on beaches between 2017 and 2020 are (a) plastic bags; (b) food and beverage containers and packages; (c) fishing gears; and (d) other plastic wastes: cigarette butts and Styrofoam waste. 24 25 26 There are two primary sources of marine plastic debris in Thailand: land-based sources and sea-based sources, as shown in Figure 13. Land-based sources include untreated wastes from communities, dumpsite, wastes released into rivers, and other tributaries. The river acts as a pathway for their eventual discharge into the sea. Uncollected wastes from communities and tourist sites in coastal areas and islands, and wastes disposed of at ports and in estuaries, also contributed to the land-based sources. Sea-based sources include wastes from traditional fishing vessels, commercial fishing vessels, cargo ships, tourist boats, and other activities that intentionally and unintentionally release wastes into the sea and missing fishing gears. Figure 13. Sources of marine plastic debris In terms of environmental impact, most plastic wastes found on beaches and in the sea are single-use plastics and lost fishing gears. Despite cleanup efforts on beaches, coral reefs, and sea floors, many of the wastes remained uncollected, causing impacts on marine plants and animals, plankton, and ecosystems. For example, marine plastic debris contributes to the mortality of rare marine animals annually, while microplastics were found to contaminate the aquatic animals and sediments in estuaries and on beaches. Marine plastic debris is harmful to both aquatic plants and animals. The cases of marine plastic debris impact found in Thailand are illustrated in Boxes 6–9. Plastic debris can directly affect the organisms through tangling and/or become detrimental after marine animals, sea birds, and sea turtles ingest the debris. The wastes were found to adversely disrupt the biological functions of corals. Marine plastic debris affects several economic activities such as tourism and fishery. The disintegration into microplastics can contaminate the food chain and accumulate in trophic levels. The impact of marine plastic debris can be listed as follows: (a) Habitat destruction: Contamination of chemicals from marine plastic debris can reduce water quality. At the same time, the wastes that deposit on sea floors could adversely affect spawning 24 Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). 2018. Annual Report 2018. Retrieved from https://www.dmcr.go.th/detailLib/4370 (in Thai) 25 Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). 2019. Annual Report 2019. Retrieved from https://www.dmcr.go.th/detailAll/41967/pc/3. (in Thai) 26 Ocean Conservancy. (2018). Ocean Trash Index International Cleanup. The beach and beyond. Retrieved from https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2019/09/04/beach-beyond-breaking-2018-international-coastal-cleanup-results/ 23 sites and other habitats of marine animals by disrupting the biological processes of the animals and marine environments. (b) Tangling or obstructing marine animals' lives: Marine animals and sea birds caught in plastic bottles or rings could suffer from suffocation and fatality. The most common threat from plastic wastes was derived from tangling, which would impede growth and disrupt the lives of the animals though its effect is not fatal. Box 6. Impacts of marine plastic debris on rare marine animals 27 According to a statistic of the DMCR on mass stranding (beaching) of rare marine animals, only 3 percent of dolphin and whale beaching was found due to marine plastic debris. On the other hand, the wastes were the contributing factor for 17 percent of dugong beaching. In comparison, 38 percent of mass stranding among sea turtles was caused by marine plastic debris. (c) Impacts on digestion of marine animals: Marine animals often mistook plastic wastes for food, and ingestion of these wastes resulted in malnutrition, internal injury, intestinal obstruction, starvation, and fatality. Box 7. Case of a marine animal fatality caused by ingestion of plastic wastes during 2018-2019 28 The death of a short-finned pilot whale in Songkhla Province in June 2018 was reported after the stranded animal was discovered by locals four days earlier. An autopsy on the whale found 85 plastic bags with a combined weight of over 8 kg in the stomach, and stomach injury was the primary cause of death. In the publicized death of a dugong juvenile named ‘Mariam’ after almost four months of treatment in 2019, an autopsy found intestinal obstruction caused by plastic wastes as the cause of death. In 2019, several deaths of sea turtles were reportedly caused by plastic wastes. An autopsy on sea turtles in Chon Buri Province found hard plastics, plastic bags, trawls, and rubber bands in their digestive tracts. The cause of death of a leatherback turtle in Rayong Province was believed to be from coming in contact with a boat propeller until the autopsy found nine plastic bags in the digestive tract (which may cause the animal to lose balance and hit the propeller). In contrast, a green turtle found dead in Sattahip District of Chon Buri Province had plastic bags, rubber bands, and ropes in the digestive tract. 27 DMCR. 2021. (Draft) National State of Coastal and Marine Resources and Coastal Erosion 2020. (Photocopied) (in Thai) 28 DMCR .2019Annual Report .2019Retrieved from https://www.dmcr.go.th/detailAll//41967pc/) .3in Thai) 24 Photo: Shutterstrock / Rich Carey (d) Coral destruction: Surveys by the DMCR discovered fishing nets and trawls on coral reefs in every region of the country. Nets and trawls of all sizes and types can cause problems for coral reefs by directly blocking sunlight and facilitating algae growth which further reduces exposure to sunlight and increases sedimentation on the reefs. Monitoring activities on pollution in and damage on coral reefs around Tao Island of Surat Thani Province found a significant number of lost fishing gears, including nets, trawls, ropes, and traps, on the reefs and took note of damages on corals caused by these tools. Box 8. Monitoring impacts of marine plastic debris on coral reefs 29 The DMCR national inventory on coral reefs survey 2020 found long-term changes in living corals similar to the surveys in 2018-2019. The majority of the coral reefs were in moderate condition. However, the survey also discovered the deterioration of coral reefs in 11 of 17 provinces and identified marine wastes such as lost trawls and tourist wastes as the leading cause. (e) The risk from invasive alien species: When attached to marine wastes, invasive alien species travel over 100 kilometers in the sea. Once the wastes come ashore, the species could settle in new environments, propagate and become a threat to the biodiversity of the unique ecosystems. 30 A report identified plastic wastes as a pathway for Japanese species of mussels, cockles, and barnacles to travel across the Pacific. 31 (f) Adverse effects on tourist sites on coastlines: Accumulation of marine plastic debris at tourist sites, especially in estuaries and lagoons, can adversely affect tourism and hoteling, dining, diving, and other water sports business. (g) Impacts on commercial fishing vessels and their fishing tools: Lost fishing tools can damage commercial fishing vessels when they are caught in propellers, anchors, driveshafts, and other parts of vessels and fishing tools used by the vessels. Thus, they can increase the cost of repairing the vessels and the fishing tools. 29 DMCR. 2021. (Draft) National State of Coastal and Marine Resources and Coastal Erosion 2020. (Photocopied) (in Thai) 30 National Geographic Magazine. 2018. Alien species travel across the ocean with plastic waste. Retrieved from https://ngthai.com/animals/13548/invasive-species-ride-on-plastic/ 31 Barnes, D. 2002. Invasions by marine life on plastic debris. Nature, 416, page 808–809. Retrieved 13 May 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1038/416808a. and Russell, J., Meter, J., Holmes, N., Pagad, S. 2017. Invasive alien species on islands: Impacts, distribution, interactions and management. Environmental Conservation, 44, 4, page 359-370. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892917000297. 25 (h) Microplastic contamination in the ecosystems and the food webs: Plastic wastes can disintegrate into particles of less than 5 mm in diameter (microplastics). A report indicated that microplastics could disrupt the photosynthesis of algae and phytoplankton and accumulate in the tissues of zooplankton and aquatic animals. In addition, microplastics affect respiration, digestion, reproduction, and growth, causing abnormalities in larvae growth and increasing the mortality rate. 32 Surveys found remnants of microplastics in benthos, fishes, sediments, beaches, and coastal reservoirs around the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Box 9. Research on microplastics in coastal areas of Thailand • At Chao Lao and Kung Wiman Beaches in Chanthaburi Province, microplastic contamination was found in two species of bivalves which are razor clams (3.13 ± 2.75 pieces of plastics per individual) and ridged venus clams (2.65 ± 3.12 articles of plastics per individual). 33 • On the eastern coast including Ang Sila Sub-district, Bangsaen Beach, and Samaesarn Island, Chon Buri Province, accumulation of microplastics was found in oysters, striped barnacles, and marsh snails (0.2–0.6 pieces of plastics per gram). The filter feeders were noted for having an exceptionally high amount of microplastics. 34 • A study on microplastic contamination in stomachs of commercial fishes in Sathing Phra District of Songkhla Province found surface-dwelling fishes to have the highest microplastics (1.75 pieces of plastics per stomach, on average). At the same time, coral fishes and bottom feeders were found, on average, with 1.24 and 0.97 pieces of plastics per stomach, respectively. Colorless and fiber plastics were noted as the most common in the study. 35 • The microplastics were found in sediments on beaches in the Lower Gulf of Thailand, including those in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat Provinces. The highest concentration was reported at Ta Lo Ka Po Beach in Pattani Province during the drought season and accounted for 1,144 pieces of plastics per m2. The most common type of plastic was PET, and most of the plastics were found as large black or clear pieces or fibers. 36 • Data collected by 26 monitoring stations in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea found a microplastic concentration in sediments on beaches during the drought season to be 19– 2,102 pieces of plastics per m2. Most plastics reported were used in daily life. 37 • A survey on three beaches in Phuket Province found Patong Beach to have the highest concentration of plastics (265 pieces of plastics per m2). Most commons had opaque white and green colors. Tri Trang and Kalim Beaches ranked second and third in the survey. 38 2.4 Management of marine plastic debris in Thailand Thailand is committed to managing marine plastic debris, as it profoundly affects its marine environment. The country hosted the ASEAN Conference on Reducing Marine Debris in ASEAN Region in Phuket on November 22–23, 2017, and participated in the East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Combating Marine Plastic Debris held in Bali, Indonesia, on September 6–7, 2017. At the later meeting, a framework for actions 32 Punyauppa-patha, S., Punyauppa-path, P. 2019. Microplastics: Origin, Environmental Impact, Environmental Contamination, and Management Method. Journal of Environmental Management, 15(2), p. 88-105. ISSN 19065485. https://doi.org/10.14456/jem.2019.13 33 Tharamon, P., Praisanklul, S., Leadprathom, N. 2016. Contamination of microplastic in bivalve at Chaolao and Kungwiman beach Chanthaburi province. Retrieved from 34 Thushari, G., J. Senevirathna, J., A. Yakupitiyage, A., and S. Chavanich, S. (2017). “Effects of mMicroplastics on sSessile iInvertebrates in the eEastern cCoast of Thailand: An aApproach to cCoastal zZone cConservation.” Marine pollution bulletin, 124 (1):, 349–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.010. 35 Azad, S. M. O., P. Towatana, S. Pradit, B. G. Patricia, H. T. T. Hue, and S. Jualaong. 2018. “First Evidence of Existence of Microplastics in Stomach of Some Commercial Fishes in the Lower Gulf of Thailand.” Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 16 (6): 7345–7360. 36 Kreekrinuch, T., R. Puttapreecha, R. Suksuwan, R. Tangjai, and R. Saisahat. 2019. The Contamination of Microplastics in Sediment Beach Areas: Lower Gulf of Thailand. May 13, 2021. http://www.dmcr.go.th/detailLib/4536. 37 DMCR. 2019. Annual Report 2019. Retrieved from https://www.dmcr.go.th/detailAll/41967/pc/3. (in Thai) 38 Aekjit, P., Ruamkaew, S. 2019. Microplstics waste on the western beach of Phuket province. ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNAL, 23(2). Retrieved from http://www.ej.eric.chula.ac.th/content/6114/70 26 on marine wastes was endorsed by ministers and competent authorities on natural resources and the environment. This led to further actions at the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris held in Bangkok on March 5, 2019. Thailand took several actions to manage marine plastic debris between 2018 and 2021, as shown in Table 4. These include actions at the regional level (ASEAN) and policy actions at the national and local levels, including the state, international organizations, private sectors, academics, education institutes, and local communities. The private sector, in particular, was anxious to participate in policy actions to develop guidance and measures on plastic waste management, take steps to reduce and phase out plastic bags, and communicate with the public at large. These activities have, however, remained pioneering such as short-term research and scattered small projects. Thailand is moving toward a circular green economy, building capacity toward better management of marine plastic waste. To successfully implement its ambitious sustainable plastic waste management goals, the Government of Thailand encourages private sector participation and support in its efforts. Much of the nation’s recycling occurs separate from the solid waste management system through upstream diversion by the informal sector. There was a public-private partnership to tackle marine plastic waste by redesigning the plastic supply chain through the Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastic and Waste Management (PPP Plastic) (Box 10). There are also small and medium-size catering services that adopted the zero-waste principle (Box. 11). Table 4. Key operation that responds to the marine plastic debris management Responsible Key operations agency u v w x • Region level Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region 2019, MNRE ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris 2019 and ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris 2021-2025 Sea Circular: Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the COBSEA, UNEP plastics value chain in South East Asia Marine Plastics and Coastal Communities Project Kenya, Mozambique, South IUCN Africa, Vietnam, and Thailand Collaborative Action on the Prevention of Single-Use Plastic in South East Asia GIZ Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter in China, GIZ Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand Plastic Smart Cities initiative in South East Asia WWF Encourage and sharing best practice framework for the management of the GGGI fishing gear in 17 countries worldwide Net Free Sea EJF • National level Sub-committee on Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Management under the MNRE National Environmental Board MOU to ban the cap seals on plastic drinking water MNRE, private sector Announcement to stop using seven types of plastics under the Roadmap of MNRE Plastic Waste Management, 2018–2030 Initiate the PPP Plastics Government, private sector, civil society Reduction of plastic bags and Styrofoam in government agencies, national park, MNRE, MOI, private and prevention of waste leakage into the sea sector Promote reducing and stopping plastic bags < 36 microns with over 75 companies MNRE, PPP Plastic Promote and certify the green services DEQP Survey of types and amounts of waste in estuaries of the upper Gulf of Thailand DMCR, private sector, and Songkhla Lake to study and classify marine debris volunteers 27 Responsible Key operations agency u v w x Annual survey of marine debris and coastal areas every September and sharing DMCR, private sector, information to the Ocean Conservancy. volunteers Under collaboration with fishing boats to bring back the waste from the ships DOF ,Fisheries and the waste collected from the sea Association Disseminate information and knowledge to the public DEQP, medias Research on microplastics Academics Education on Marine Plastics Abatement (1 Year Master’s program) AIT Feasibility study on EPR adaptation TIPMSE Develop criteria for green label on biodegradable plastic products TEI • Area-based level Collaborative project through circular economy approach piloting in Klongtoey, Plastic Industry Club / Bangkok, and Rayong Province PPP Plastics/ TBCSD Waste trapping MD ,DMCR, private sector, civil society Note: u=Plastic production, v= Plastic consumption, w= Plastic waste management, x= Environmental impact reduction of marine plastic DEQP = Department of Environmental Quality Promotion; DOF = Department of Fisheries; EJF = Environmental Justice Foundation; FTI = Federation of Thai Industries; GGGI = Global Ghost Gear Initiative; GIZ = German Agency for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit); IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature; MD = Marine Department; MNRE = Minister of Natural resources and Environment; MOI = Ministry of Interior; MOU = Memorandum of Understanding; TEI = Thailand Environment Institute; TBCSD = Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development; UNEP = United Nations Environment Programme; WWF = World Wide Fund for Nature. 28 Box 10. PPP Plastics 39 The Thailand Public-Private Partnership for Plastic and Waste Management (PPP Plastics) was established on June 5, 2018, by the Plastic Industry Club and the FTI, in partnership with the TBCSD, organizations from the public and private sectors, and members of society. PPP Plastics recognized the urgency to deal with plastic waste in Thailand through the circular economy principle and aims to reduce marine plastic debris by at least 50 percent by 2027 through solutions such as sustainable waste management, the circular economy, and 3Rs. PPP Plastics involved redesigning the plastic value chain in Thailand from policy and legislation to the use of innovative technology to deal with plastic waste. PPP Plastics proposed four waste management measures for Thailand: (a) promoting proper waste-sorting habits among consumers and society through education and communications, (b) developing an integrated waste collection and separation system, (c) promoting recycling and upcycling businesses to add value to plastic waste and increase market demand, and (d) encouraging retailers to participate in upstream waste management. There are two demonstration sites: Klongtoey Model in urban areas and Rayong Model in rural areas. In addition, PPP Plastics also promoted the Circular Economy in Action - Drop Point for 12 types of used film and packaging plastics around Thailand. Regarding the progress of demonstration areas, it can be summarized that in Wangwa, the 500-household community in Rayong Province, the share of plastic recycling can increase to 45 percent compared to a 13 percent national average. In addition, a diverse group such as women, the elderly, and youth have been working together on different roles for sustainable plastic waste management. Koh Klang, the 58-households community in Bangkok, has opened a Learning Center for Waste Management. Box 11. Chew Khew green catering 40 39F Chew Khew is a green catering service that considers customers' health and the quality of life of organic farmers and saves the environment using biodegradable or reusable packaging to avoid plastic waste from containers and packages for food and beverage. Chew Khew started with simple things such as reducing the use of packaging that will increase the waste. It then told customers that it does not have straws or plastic bags available. In addition, it has tried and selected natural packaging that can be practically used, such as betel nut, chamomile bamboo, fruit peel, and banana leaf plate. Chew Khew used biodegradable plastic but stopped using it when it found that biodegradable plastic will turn into small plastic pellets and contaminate the environment The entrepreneur confirms that environmentally friendly packaging, such as using local materials, will help villagers earn income. Thus, the entrepreneur can help both society and the environment at the same time. 2.5 Conclusions For the development of the proposed draft Action Plan, it is recommended that a package of combined instruments applicable to different sources of plastic leakages into the sea should be designed, with grace periods and certain exemptions, to facilitate long-term adjustments of business operations. In Thailand, plastic production is on an increasing trend. Plastic pellets have continued to increase since 2007, and around 9.01 million tons were produced in 2018. Import and export of plastics are on the rise with the surplus in the overall trade of plastics. Consumption of plastic pellets in 2018 accounted for 5.53 million tons. Substantially recycled plastics were also produced and imported as materials for manufacturing. 39 Public Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastics and Waste Management. Retrieved from http://www.tei.or.th/th/area_project_detail.php?area_id=7&project_id=102. 40 Base on interview. 29 The total amount of waste generated is 1.91 million tons per year, of which 0.06 tones are mismanaged plastic and estimated 0.02-0.03 tons of plastic waste ended up as marine debris. In a survey of municipal solid waste composition, plastic accounted for 24 percent of the total waste. (Food wastes and organic matters were seen as the most common and accounted for 55 percent). This study surveyed 22 waste disposal sites. The most common plastic waste item dumped with other waste was plastic bags, followed by plastic bottles. The most common types of plastics were HDPE, followed by PP and PET. Therefore, measures that could be applicable for Thailand based on the review of global experiences national status are listed as follows: 1) Promote inexpensive reusable alternatives for plastics and public and private efforts to reduce ‘single-use plastics’. As per the review, most countries focus on the reduction of ‘single-use plastics’ through various measures such as ‘banning’, ‘limiting’, ‘charging/taxing’, ‘prohibiting free distribution’. However, the review of different countries imposing bans/limits/taxes on plastic products suggests that resting on banning/prohibiting/taxing single-use plastics alone without providing reusable/inexpensive alternatives is not effective. For Thailand, the private voluntary initiatives to reduce the free distribution of plastic bags and single-use plastics are under way, and consumer awareness has been increasing. Therefore, it would be practical for the Thai government to continue the voluntary approach with a clear roadmap, but the policy focus should be on ‘increasing alternatives for plastics’. Both economic and information instruments can be used to promote the alternatives such as incentives for R&D and private investment and tax reduction incentives, combined with labeling and public awareness. 2) Enhance the existing recycling system to be more efficient and effective. Several countries in Europe and North America have focused on plastic recycling to reduce plastic waste in landfills. For Thailand, the promotion of plastic recycling is already mentioned in several strategic and sectoral plans; however, the focus is mainly on the post-consumption stage. Lessons from international experiences show that the recycling approach should be strengthened at different stages as follows: • Production stage, where producers design products that are recycling friendly. • Consumption stage, where clear labeling of recycling is promoted, consumption of products made from recyclable plastics is encouraged, and a mix of mandatory and voluntary-based measures are designed to limit consumption of single-use plastics. • Post-consumption stage, where segregating, collecting, and recycling systems are fully established and promoted; design and production of recyclable plastic products are facilitated; and options are explored to trigger behavioral changes of producers and consumers in plastic waste segregating. Regulatory, economic, and information measures from global and national practices can be adopted for the Action Plan. These include regulatory measures such as EPR requiring producers to develop recycling-friendly packaging and call back products, economic measures such as deposit refund system, and information measures such as awareness-raising/outreach campaign for all stages of the plastic recycling process combined with clear eco-labeling for recycling. 3) Establish a systematic approach to effectively address dumping/disposal of related plastic products into the sea. For Thailand, current measures to reduce the leakages of plastic-related products to the sea as well as the lost fishing gears are still undertaken on an ad hoc basis (fragmented ways). Moreover, regulations to prohibit plastic dumping, which comply with international agreements, are yet to be developed. Therefore, it is suggested that Thailand expedites its ratification to the London Protocol and the 2011 amendments to Annex V of the Protocol of MARPOL, which serve as a global binding policy framework for addressing marine plastic pollution. This can subsequently be translated into national regulations. Also, the prevention of lost fishing gears should be addressed more systematically through the required registration and monitoring system. Furthermore, apart from the regulatory measures, economic measures can be used, such as incentives for the return of fishing gears and minimum price set for selling back the old fishing gears. Also, incentives for fishers to bring garbage back to the coast should be considered cautiously about bringing garbage back to the coast. 30 31 GAP ANALYSIS AND STAKEHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS Chapter 3 summarizes the driving forces on marine plastic debris and results of gap analysis and opportunities on the current status of marine plastic debris management. It also presents recommendations from stakeholders on the situation and problems of the past and present and proposed guidelines to formulate an action plan for marine plastic debris for Thailand. The results drawn in this section are recommendations for the foundations for Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris presented in Chapter 4. 3.1 Thailand’s driving forces on marine plastic debris Rise in population and change in consumers’ behavior to accommodate a more convenient lifestyle have increased demand for plastics, especially for single-use plastics. Unfortunately, most consumers are ignorant of the impacts of their choices and have not cooperated in waste segregation, resulting in limited plastic waste recycling. Photo: Shutterstock / photka Technological advancement has enabled the manufacturing of diverse and durable plastic products. These projects can substitute natural materials and accommodate the wide range of needs in every sector, particularly for household use, the service sector, tourism, and food and agriculture. In addition, advancements in plastic recycling and segregation could also benefit recycling and other efforts to reduce plastic wastes. Expansion of the economy and tourism. Before 2020, the growth in tourism and the country’s economy had been consistent with global growths, increasing quantity of plastic production and the rate of plastic utilization. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown had little impact on plastic consumption due to the exponential growth in online shopping, more food delivery, and greater demand for medical equipment. These have contributed to the increased demand for plastic packaging. Environment, climate, and natural disasters. Environmental factors were found to contribute to the lack of proper waste disposal and unintentional release of wastes into the sea, particularly for disposal facilities and sites located on high slopes or near reservoirs. Natural disasters may affect the transport of wastes for disposal on the mainland, damage fishing tools, and cause accidents at sea. 32 Ineffective waste management system and law enforcement leading to ineffective waste segregation and plastic recycling. There is not enough basic infrastructure for recycling, resulting in small amount of waste recycle, while the changes of lifestyle have increased consumption of single-use plastic. There is also a lack of incentive measures for recycling, comprehensive recycling systems, and effective law enforcement. Despite the prohibition on public littering, actions on cleaning, and efforts to ensure that disposal facilities are effectively operated, ineffective law enforcement was found to contribute to the presence of untreated wastes in communities and illegal dumping in public lands. In addition, some poorly managed waste disposal facilities were found to release wastes from inland into the sea unintentionally. A summary of the review, conditions, and driving forces of the marine plastic debris problem is shown in Figure 14. Figure 14. Driving forces and overall status of marine plastic debris Plastics Plastic Plastic waste Reduction of environmental impact production consumption management from marine plastic debris Increase in plastic Increased use of plastic Lack of waste segregation, low Marine plastic impact to production, mainly packages and single-use rate of plastic recycling, poorly organisms and ecosystems and PET, PP, LDPE, and plastic while more activities operated disposal facilities, microplastic contamination in HDPE on riverbanks, coastal areas, rare plastic waste management food chain, for which there is no islands, and the sea increase ecosystem in coastal areas, and clear, comprehensive plan and the chance of intentional untreated wastes continue to management and unintentional release of be problems for waste plastic wastes into the sea management Driving forces of marine plastic debris problems • Increased demand for plastics and change in consumer behavior • Environment, climate, and natural disasters • Technological advancement in plastic production • Ineffective waste management and recycling • Expansion of the economy, tourism, and online markets systems 3.2 Gap analysis on the status of marine plastic debris This section presents the analysis results of the 11 selected case studies include 3 case studies at a national level on operation, waste management on commercial boats using the port-in and port-out (PIPO) system, and estuary garbage collection and PPP Plastics cooperation and 8 case studies at the local level both at the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. 3.2.1 Operation at the national level In the past three to four years, the action plan on plastic waste management has been formulated. As a result, different sectors have taken steps to reduce and solve marine plastic debris. For example, these steps include abolishing of plastic cap seals for drinking water bottles, reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags and plastic straws, and research and tax incentives on biodegradable materials to replace plastic packaging, beach and sea cleaning equipment, etc. The national-level operation has a significant influence in making each relevant sector see a common direction and helps drive activities and operations at the local level in the same order, such as clean province policy. In addition, there is strong cooperation between different sectors with the precise mechanism on policy and issues-based operations, which are driven by both the government and private sectors, such as the cooperation between the Commercial Fishing Vessel Group and PIPO. Through cooperation among several leading private companies launched in 2018, PPP Plastics has contributed to the country’s draft Plastic Waste Management Roadmap and expressed its views on the government’s draft plan and develop other related regulations. Some of the garbage trapping buoys (bloom) installed at the estuaries across the country were handed over by a private company to help collect floating garbage. 33 Box 12. The ‘trash return to shore’ project 41 Since the DOF held a discussion on marine debris management in mid-2018, participants agreed that ‘marine debris’ is a national problem that all parties need to focus on. Therefore, the joint project with the Commercial Fishing Group titled ‘trash return to shore’ was established to reduce waste from the fishery sector by the control center for fishing boat entry and exit (PIPO) in the coastal provinces. Although the activities were voluntary, it was found that from November 2019– December 2020, 4,173 boats joined the activities, accounting for 40 percent of the total commercial fishing boats. The amount of garbage collected (both from fishing boats and the sea) was around 9.11 tons per month. This was considered to be a successful cooperation effort by the fishermen in reducing waste and bringing waste back from the sea. From the national operation, it can be observed that there are direct and indirect activities related to marine plastic debris management. The activities operate under three groups of tools (see box 2), although most of them are information tools for public relations campaigns to cooperate in the plastic waste management stage, as shown in Table 5. Table 5. Summary of the measures implemented in the national case studies at different states Production Consumption Post-consumption/ Impact reduction waste management Land-based - Cooperation of the Public relations to - Establish drop points to - Install the blooms at sources private operators disseminate collect plastic waste within five major estuaries related to PPP information to Bangkok and some cities and expand to other Plastics led to society and target areas, including - Mix nonrecyclable plastic reducing and groups in the pilot garbage trapping at the waste with asphalt to stopping use of area to reduce mouth of canals and increase road strength some types of plastic bags' use the coastal regions plastics following - Collect plastic bottles to - Collect garbage in the the roadmap make shirts and robes for canals by boat, with Buddhist monks - Innovation for collaborations between plastic and non- - An experiment in using the government, recyclable plastic plastics to mix with block volunteers, and private waste bricks and artificial woods operators Sea-based — Communication and - Commercial fishing boats to — sources exchange of join the voluntary ‘trash information among return to shore’ project the commercial - A plan to establish a fund to fishing boats on the buy and sell scrap fishing amount of gears that are out of use equipment installed - Sign an MOU among the on the ships and relevant agencies in amount that different provinces to returned to the collect and return marine shore debris to the shore 3.2.2 Coastal community operations A study of eight case studies at the coastal areas of Thailand reflected that people are interested in plastic waste management at the post-consumption stage, as highlighted in Table 6. Various communities pay attention to waste management. Some communities have established community regulations and developed a trading mechanism for plastic waste. A garbage compactor is installed on the island to increase waste 41 Department of Fisheries (DOF). 2020. Reclaiming trash, the sea is beautiful with our hand activity. Retrieved from https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/index.php/main/view_activities/1413/95368. (in Thai) 34 collection and transportation to the shore. However, most of them are interested in plastic management after use and not much in activities on impact reduction of marine plastic debris. Table 6. Summary of measures implemented in the local case studies at different states Production Consumption Post-consumption Impact reduction Land- Advocate for the - Campaign on - Set community regulations Install trapping nets based banning and reducing usage of - Develop a ‘buy and sell’ mechanism of and blooms sources reduction of some single-use plastics plastic waste types of plastics - Request - Establish drop points cooperation from - Raise awareness of the community to the local shops to segregate waste reduce plastic use. - Install the compactor to increase - storage and transport waste to shore - Build the capacity of the youths - Raise awareness on waste collection and cleaning of the beach Sea-based — — - Join the PIPO to collect waste to shore — sources - Develop the ‘buy and sell’ mechanism for fishing nets and fishing gears - Request cooperation from the local fishermen to collect waste back to shore 3.3 Gap analysis and opportunities The Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I 2020–2022 is the current active plan. It was developed as a framework and guideline for prevention and a proposed solution of plastic waste problems affecting the environment. The action plan has two main goals: (a) to reduce and stop using targeted plastics and replace them with environmentally friendly alternative materials and (b) to increase the recycling rate to at least 50 percent for wastes of five targeted plastics for a circular economy by 2022. The five targeted plastics are plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic glasses, plastic boxes or trays, and plastic cutlery. The three measures under the action plan are shown in Figure 15. Figure 15. Measures under the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I, 2020-2022 Measures to reduce the amount of Measures to reduce and eliminate the Measures for managing plastic plastic waste at the sources usage of plastic waste after consumption - Encourage the development of - Enhance people’s awareness to reduce - Increase the efficiency and package design to be eco-friendly single-use plastics. effectiveness of recycling plastic and develop eco-labeling and - Promote environmentally friendly waste to a circular economy. industrial standards for plastic purchasing and consumption. - Promote waste sorting and products. - Encourage public and private sectors upscale plastic recycling. - Enact and effectively enforce laws to reduce usage of single-use plastics. - Control the import of plastic for plastic management - Establish rules and regulations to scraps from abroad. - Use tax measures to promote prevent plastic dumping into the sea. - Develop specific laws for the biodegradable plastic packaging. - Increase the number of the plastic drop management of plastic waste. - Develop a plastic database system. points. - Develop guidelines to prevent and tackle marine plastic debris. Thailand gradually increased the commitment to the management of marine plastic debris through several collaborations at the global and regional levels. As a result, many actions in managing marine plastic debris in the country during the past few years saw prominent participation of the government, international organizations, private sectors, academics, and local communities. The private sector offers an outstanding role 35 in policy actions to develop guidance and measures on plastic waste management and communication. However, some are conducted in pilot or short-term research, while no nationwide program has been implemented. Considering the links of the program/project under the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase I 2020–2022 to the National Strategy, SDGs, ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris, and other related development plans and targets, as well as the country’s marine plastic situation, we have found the following opportunities and gaps that should be considered in informing the action plan presented in Section 4. 3.3.1 Opportunities 1) Alignment with critical regional/national policies and plans The problem of marine plastic debris has been recognized by the policy makers and well reflected in top global agenda (SDGs), regional policy (ASEAN Framework on ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris and ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris 2021–2025), national policies (National Strategy, National Reform Plan, 12th National Social and Economic Development Plan, the framework of the 13th National Social and Economic Development Plan, and so on), and the BCG model. Therefore, the existing policy windows and the development of the National Action Plan, which is linked with other policies and plans, should be welcomed by policy makers. 2) Increase and integrate the gender responsive plan into marine plastic debris management Thailand has been promoting national interest in gender equality and is exploring how plastic waste management fits in with gender equity and empowerment goals. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 (2017) Section 27 prohibited discrimination as well as strongly asserted the equality of persons regardless of their sociodemographic background, including age, sex, education, and religious beliefs. The Gender Equality Act, B.E. 2558 (2015) Section 17 Paragraph 1 prohibits unfair gender-based discrimination of all people, including men, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. In 2015, the Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 was implemented to promote gender equality, solve unfair gender discrimination, and provide protective measures to those in need. The Women Development Strategy (2017– 2021) is the key guideline for women’s development and gender equality policy in Thailand. Women and men are affected by hazardous chemicals that contribute to environmental problems, related to the life cycle of plastic from production and consumption to post-consumption and management of plastics. Although men and women have different roles in household management, women in each household buy most of the food and other basic consumer goods, and this could play an important role in reducing the use of plastic consumer goods in the household. Through recognition of gender roles, awareness raising, and policy and regulatory support, a multisectoral approach to reduce plastic use is critical. The details on gender roles and gender responsive framework are presented in Box 13. Box 13. Gender roles and framework for marine plastic debris management A gender-responsive plan is one where gender norms, roles, and inequalities have been considered, and measures have been taken to address them actively. Such a plan goes beyond raising sensitivity and awareness to do something about gender inequalities. For example, a gender-responsive Marine Plastic Waste Management Plan is one where women's lack of decision-making is addressed by reaching out to men and the male partners of women (with the women's permission) to promote joint decision-making regarding plastic waste management. The first step to integrating gender response into the National Action Plan of Marine Plastic Waste is to conduct a gender analysis and conduct stakeholder workshops with the various groups to empower and strengthen their waste management capabilities that fit with their roles and requirement. Gender equality should be used as an indicator for all activities across the national material flow of plastic, ensuring the respect, promotion, and consideration of gender equality and women's empowerment in the implementation of the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management. 36 To improve tracking of the implementation and reporting on gender-related mandates, gender-disaggregated data from the national material flow of plastic such as employment, wage, and working condition by sex and position should be collected and reported to responsible institutions such as PCD, Plastics Institute of Thailand, PPP Plastics, Plastic Industrial Groups, and the Department of Industrial Works (DIW). In case studies of community participation in various activities, women played the roles of leaders and supporters of such multiple activities. For example, women, as community leaders and local government leaders, play a role in waste management in Mai Rood Community in Trat Province and Pak Nam Prasae Community in Rayong Province. In the island community of Klong Toey District in Bangkok, more than 80 percent of women were included in the community committee. Therefore, they play a role in planning and setting community activities by collecting and distributing plastic waste to reduce dumping into water sources and coordinating with external organizations to conduct research and record information on plastic waste and income from plastic waste distribution. 3) Supporting the circular economy policy Regulatory, economic, and information measures should be used to comprehensively address marine plastic debris from production, consumption, and post-consumption, where related plastic products should be designed and produced for recycling. According to the circular economy, awareness and information about recycling plastics-related products should be enhanced at the consumption level. In addition, the waste management system should focus on collecting and recycling, which will undoubtedly support the recycling and upscaling of plastics materials. The current measures are mainly at the post-consumption rather than at the production stage. Therefore, it is worth exploring economic incentives such as corporate income tax holiday to promote the design of recycling-friendly products and economic disincentives like taxing of final consumer products that contain more than 75 percent of non-recyclable plastics. Moreover, regulatory measures such as EPR requiring producers to develop a recycling-friendly package combined with information measures like ‘Clear Recycle Labelling’ can be explored and adopted to suit Thailand’s development context. Box 14. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) EPR was initially implemented in the early 1990s in a few European member states. EPR an environmental policy tool that requires producers to extend their responsibilities to minimize the environmental impact of their products throughout the products’ life cycle, from the production to post-consumption stages. This includes products’ ‘upstream’ impact linked to selecting materials, product design, and production processes and ‘downstream’ impact relating to the products’ use and disposal. EPR holds producers responsible (administratively, financially, or physically) for collecting, recycling, and disposing of specified volumes of plastic that they produce and place them in the market in the plastic waste management context. Extending such responsibility to producers could reduce the burden of municipalities for plastic waste management. Moreover, it will provide incentives for producers to design resource-efficient and low-impact products that are easily collectible, recyclable, and recoverable and manage plastic waste sorting, collecting, and recycling more effectively. EPR can be implemented through mandatory or voluntary measures (for example, law, specific legislation, and MOU) and cooperation between actors involved in the waste management chain, including governments, local authorities, producers, and waste management organizations. Several models can be adopted for EPR implementation. For example, in Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, and Portugal, producers in the same industry create one standard nonprofit entity to cooperate with local authorities and ensure recycling in the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way. The responsibility is shared between producers and local authorities based on a joint agreement regarding collection. However, in Austria, Germany, and Sweden, producers have full operational and financial responsibility for collecting, sorting, and recycling. A separate collection system is designated to local authorities, but their influence is minimal. 37 4) Lessons learned from related plans and operations The previous and current related plans (for example, Master Plan under the National Strategy 2018– 2037, National Reform Plan, National Resources and Environment Issues, National Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model, National Climate Change Management Master Plan, and National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan) have addressed various dimensions of marine plastic debris, especially plastic post-consumption, but there are gaps (for example, some aspects which have not been covered, such as wastes from coastal areas and islands, commercial vessels, fishing boats, and fishing gears, and measures which have not been explored, tested, and implemented/operated like extending producer responsibility and incentives). Therefore, it is an opportunity for the informed National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris to address the remaining gaps in coverage of marine plastic debris sources as well as measures. 5) Momentum of existing operations Based on the review of existing operations (2.2 [domestic part] and information from consultations), there have been various attempts to address this marine plastic debris at the regional, national, and subnational levels. For example, regional operations include Sea Circular: Reducing Marine Litter by Addressing the Management of the Plastics Value Chain in South East Asia conducted by COBSEA/UNEP; Marine Plastics and Coastal Communities Project Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, and Thailand conducted by IUCN; and the Collaborative Action on the Prevention of Single-Use Plastics in Southeast Asia Project in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia conducted by GIZ. However, most of the existing operations have been fragmented and undertaken at a small scale (area based). Therefore, the informed National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris will help scale up the current process to be more systematic with supporting measures that are legally binding (in some aspects). Photo: Shutterstock / Athawit Ketsak 3.3.2 Gaps 1) Marine plastic debris (MPD) database The action plan was addressed in the database for material flow analysis. However, it does not mention how to contain, thoroughly and systematically, gathered data on plastic wastes being leaked into the Thai sea. Thailand should have a nationally standardized database which contains year-round MPD leakage and MPD survey results on the beaches, coral reef, seagrass beds, marine ecosystem, and the sea that can be presented in terms of geographical data. 38 2) Management of MPD from coastal- and sea-based sources The action plan is yet to reflect the clear and comprehensive management of MPD from the coast and the sea, including local communities, pier, and tourism activities. Moreover, small fishing boats and commercial fishing boats are a significant source of plastic waste generation after fishers consume and dispose of the nets, ropes, and fishing gears into the sea. Also, excursion boats and marine tourism activities are potential sources of MPD directly leaked into the sea, either on purpose or due to negligence 3) Gender equality MPD results in the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems, which threatens human well- being. These impacts are felt disproportionately by socially disadvantaged groups such as women. At the same time, women play a key role in sustainable consumption and production, including environmental protection and MPD management, especially in choosing the products for their families and managing the plastic wastes. If women have opportunities and choices, they can be sea protectors by reducing the amount of MPD. But the existing action plan does not present this issue. 4) Advanced science and technology Building scientific and appropriate technological capacity to drive local products’ sustainable production and consumption patterns is one of the critical gaps. This issue requires personnel with knowledge and experience, an adequate operational budget, and an opportunity for exchanging and sharing technology and expertise among countries to drive the MPD management. In addition, the enabling environments that support learning and research on MPD are required. 5) MPD’s impact on the environment The existing action plan presents a few projects/programs related to microplastics and the reduction of the impact from MPD for a better environment. The gaps are details of analysis on microplastics regarding shapes, sizes, colors, and amount throughout all seasons and link of their primary sources of those plastics. In addition, there is a main gap of knowledge in the consequences of plastic pollution, which is the absence of harmonization of assessment methodologies, both sampling and analysis. It causes research results that are inconsistent and incomparable. Lastly, MPD in the environment can have substantial economic costs associated with it. But the action plan does not have any projects/programs to estimate the economic costs of MPD, as related to marine natural capital. Box 15. Summary of policies, plans, and targets at different levels for the management of marine plastic debris Plastic production stage: Emphasize promoting production, investment, technological development, and design of plastic products that have fewer impacts on the environment, such as the adoption of plastic industry standards and labeling for environmentally sound plastic products. Plastic consumption stage: Build knowledge on and create incentives against single-use plastic as well as develop models for environmentally sound tourism in marine environments and plastic waste management. Plastic waste management stage: Enable integrated and effective waste management by adopting rules and regulation on waste segregation and promote material recycling. Impact reduction of marine plastic debris: Take actions at the national and regional levels to prevent unintentional release of wastes from inland into the seas, gathering information on impacts of marine plastic debris, and sharing knowledge on innovations and good practices on management of marine plastic debris. 39 One of the main challenges of the action plan Phase I is the expectation from various agencies and the requirement of the whole-government approach to effectively tackle multiple issues from land to coast and the sea. Each related agency operates under its roles and responsibilities according to its administrative laws. Therefore, some problems which require cross-departmental/ministerial efforts cannot be sufficiently addressed. Some measures have been repeatedly mentioned but have not yet been designed and implemented, such as waste segregating and recycling economic incentives, EPR, and required specific laws and enforcement. Only information measures such as awareness-raising and public campaigns are not sufficient to change the behaviors of producers and consumers. Thus, the subsequently informed action plan will emphasize law and enforcement, bringing integrated actions together with clear measures in regulations, economics, and information. 3.4 Stakeholder recommendation Interviews with representatives from 23 agencies and three meetings with key stakeholders were conducted. The numbers and associations of the stakeholders are illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16. Proportion of interviewees and stakeholder meeting attendees from various sectors Interview Stakeholder Meeting Figure 17. Proportion of women and men at the interviews and meetings 40 Box 16. Stakeholder consultation meetings to formulate the background document to the Action Plan The first consultation meeting was organized on August 5, 2020, with 67 participants, to gather opinions on drafting inputs to inform the Action Plan and case studies and sources of related information. The second consultation meeting was organized on November 12, 2020, with 125 participants, to gather their opinions on the data and analysis results of the study on marine plastic debris, including comments on the preparation of recommendations for the Action Plan in the background document. The third consultation meeting was organized on April 5, 2021, with 128 participants, to gather opinions on the draft background document of the Action Plan and the ways to potentially implement it. According to the interviews and meetings, six key issues were identified for the background document to the National Action Plan. Regulatory, economic, and information measures can be employed to address these issues along the value chain of plastic production, consumption, post-consumption, and impact reduction of marine plastic debris. These issues cover both land-based and sea-based sources. 1) Alternatives to plastics There have been several recommendations to the Thai government to expedite finding alternative materials to plastics that are commercially viable and easily managed after use. Existing initiatives can be further scaled up through regulatory, economic, and information at all stages of the plastic value chain of production (how to produce with alternative materials at low cost), consumption (how to promote consumer awareness and right decision-making), and post-consumption (how to manage waste from alternative materials). The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Support R&D funding for materials that could be substituted for plastics, suitable for industrial and commercial usages, not harmful to sea animals and the environment, and well managed after use - Develop a database and network that link R&D results on substitutable materials to commercial uses - Develop incentive measures to encourage a shift from plastics to substitutable materials by the private sector 2) Improvement of the recycling system The problem of marine plastic debris cannot be sufficiently addressed if the plastic recycling system in Thailand is not functional due to the lack of systematic plastic waste separation at source and inconsistent with destination management, leading to inefficient recycling. As mentioned in Chapter 2, the improvements to the recycling system in Thailand, beginning from the product design, consumption choices, waste sorting, and recycling to recycled plants, are required through the support of regulatory (that is, regulations on EPR and product design), economic (that is, the incentive for recycling), and information (that is, labeling) measures. The role of women can be emphasized as they can play a crucial role in supporting recycling at both the consumption and post-consumption stages of plastic products. The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Support the development of product design that facilitates plastic recycling - Increase communication channels to promote products that are certified as ‘recyclable’ for broader consumer choices and awareness - Develop incentives for businesses and consumers to use plastic materials that are suitable for recycling - Set requirements for using recyclable plastic pellets for production and packaging and develop a standard for products/packaging that uses recyclable plastic pellets - Set requirements for labeling plastic information on containers, types, recyclability, etc. - Set a control on using single-use plastics, which have to be clearly distinguished by colors or signs for further segregation and recycling - Set a control on plastic scrap import 41 - Develop a segregation and recycling system that is suitable for different areas (local/community contexts) - Develop incentive measures for producers to engage in the deposit refund scheme for plastic recycling - Encourage a formal registration of recycling plants, informal waste collectors, and secondhand shops and enhance their capacities for effective operation - Support a formal approval of recycling business as a social business to reduce the tax burden and promote operations - Support inclusion of products with recyclable plastics in the list of environmentally friendly goods and services to promote public procurement of these products by government agencies Photo: Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) 3) Management of after-used plastics Apart from improving the recycling system and exploration for alternative materials for production and consumption, the management of plastic wastes (those with a lightweight and low value for recycling) shall also be improved to prevent the spillover of plastic waste from land to sea. Some private initiatives (that is, use plastic wastes for road building) can be scaled up through regulations, economic incentives (that is, BOI promotion such as tax incentive for investors), and information (consumer awareness for scrap segregating) The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Strengthen knowledge, personnel, and budget for local sub-district administration organizations to manage waste from upstream to downstream waste disposal properly - Monitor, inspect, and control waste disposing stations to regularly function and have proper operational facilities - Provide incentives and requirements to all types of boats to report on plastic materials used offshore and those taken back from the sea - Support the investment of recycling business - Enhance public communication to provide knowledge and awareness to involve all parties (public, private, people, and tourists) to help manage plastic wastes locally. Also, to reduce the risk of being taken directly into the sea, such as on different boats, island communities, tourist attractions, and beaches. 42 4) Coastal and island-based management Through the review and consultations with key stakeholders and government officials, specific measures to tackle plastic wastes at coastal and island-based zones in a more systematic manner have not yet been addressed by the current action plan. Even though there have been initiatives and practices undertaken at various spots and coastal areas, and some islands, these private/nongovernmental organization (NGO)/government-led efforts have been fragmented. Tackling marine plastic debris nationwide requires a more systematic approach with supporting measures (regulation, economic, and information) at the consumption and post-consumption stages. The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Enhance efficiency in the entire waste management system in coastal provinces - Develop technically sound waste segregation, collection, and disposal systems in island communities - Control and restrict the use of ‘single-use plastics’ along with the coastal and island areas - Undertake price subsidization on the use of alternative materials to plastics in islands - Collect fee/surcharges for entrance to sea tourist attractions and islands adequate for proper waste management in the areas - Provides incentives and mechanisms that link with private support on waste management within islands - Develop a standard and certification system for sustainable tourism management for tour business operators to use services within designated beaches and coastal zones and co-manage the designated sites effectively - Support the development and communication of environmentally friendly tour operation packages 5) Fishing gears management system Despite the current effort by the Thai government to impose regulations on fish gear registration, the system for fishing gear management to prevent fishing gear loss at sea has not been established. This also includes the issue of alternative materials to plastics that can be used for fishing gear production. Similar to issues 1 to 3, regulations to fishing boats, economic incentives for private operators and fishers, and information (public campaign) can support the system at production, consumption, and post-consumption of fishing gears and impact reduction when the fishing gear is lost. The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Study and develop a tracking system for lost fishing gears, including a plan for returning after-used fishing gears - Provide funding supports for R&D on the design and production of fishing gears that are harmless to sea animals and recyclable - Provide incentives to commercial fishing boats in adopting fishing gear technology that reduces harmful impacts on sea animals and technology for tracking lost fishing gears - Set requirements for reporting by fishing boats on the status of after-used fishing gears and provide an incentive for recycling - Provide incentives to and support for investments that utilize plastics from used fishing gears for reuse and recycling 6) Compliance with international conventions or declaration Current efforts made by the Thai government to ratify the MARPOL Annex 5 and London Protocol would greatly help manage the dumping and disposal of plastic wastes into the sea (from both the port and vessels). However, to fully comply with the international regulations through national regulations and operation requires supporting measures (regulation, economic, and information) to trigger private interest, awareness, cooperation, capacity building, and technical assistance for related government agencies to operate following the agreement. The recommended approach for implementation is to: - Advocate for the draft Navigation in the Thai Waters Act to legally prevent waste pollution from commercial vessels and prepare for the signing and ratification of MARPOL Annex 5 43 - Provide support for the development of a systematic and comprehensive marine plastic waste database at the national level that can be linked to the regional cooperation for future planning - Create and support a platform for knowledge, information exchange, and lessons learned on managing marine plastic debris within the region 3.5 Conclusions For the development of the background document for the Action Plan, the design and selection of policy instruments must consider an impact pathway of plastics into the sea. As shown in Figure 1, plastic wastes enter the sea in four stages. A clear and shared understanding of the sources of plastic disposal into the marine environment needs to be established among policy makers, stakeholders, and the general public. The overall ecology for the circular economy and EPR system is required to reduce marine plastic debris and its impact. The proposed actions identified from the literature review of best practices (Chapter 2), gap analysis, and stakeholder consultations (Chapter 3) are linked with the four stages of plastics entering the sea as follows: Phase I: Plastic production It is the foundation stage of plastic waste management for plastics produced domestically and imported. The best practices are mostly regulatory and economic incentives for plastic producers and owners of recycling facilities. These include mandatory source segregation and separate collection standards to assist in the recycling and waste management process in the post-consumption stage. These options include standardized labelling of different types of plastic and setting up of recycled content targets and standards for major plastic use in each industry. The current practices allow room for increasing the recycle rate for several industries, especially for PP and single-use plastic. It also requires the use of economic measures to provide incentives to change to environment-friendly plastic production as well as the R&D support for alternatives to plastic. Phase II: Plastic consumption The demand for plastic depends solely on the end user, and plastic has enabled the production of countless new products such as household products and appliances, medical use, logistics, and maritime human activities. The measures adopted for this phase need to be designed in accordance with the behavioral economic principle to reduce targeted products for both land-based and sea-based plastic. Information measures are often adopted for this phase to encourage the use of environment-friendly products and services by consumers of all ages and genders. Phase III: Plastic waste management The management of plastic needs to cover the whole life cycle and value chain of plastic. Therefore, the supply chain of plastic needs to be redesigned at the production, consumption, and waste management stages. The emphasis should be on waste management in coastal areas to prevent direct leakage to the sea and sea-based sources. The opportunities also lie in strengthening the information sector for waste segregation that could improve waste management operation throughout the country. Phase IV: Reducing environmental impact from marine plastic debris The accumulation of marine plastic has both short- and long-term impacts on marine ecology and food supply chain. Therefore, it is critical to take actions to systematically monitor the amount of marine plastic debris and the effect it has on the ecosystem. There are gaps in R&D in identifying the sources of marine debris and the countermeasures to reduce environmental impact from marine plastic debris. 44 45 INPUTS TO INFORM HAILAND’S DRAFT T ACTION PLAN ON MARINE PLASTIC DEBRIS, 2023 - 2027 This section presents recommendations to Thailand’s Draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris for 2023– 2027. The rationale, vision, targets, estimated economic impacts, details of measures and programs, budget, and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanism were determined from the literature review of national and international best practices (Chapter 2), gap analysis, and stakeholder consultation (Chapter 3). 4.1 Rationale Thailand is experiencing the impacts of marine plastic debris and has become more aware of the problems along with increasing global recognition. Thailand’s three principles to strengthen its action on marine plastic debris are 1) consideration through their entire life-cycle, which include impacts from marine plastic debris; 2) adoption of circular economy and reducing plastic waste at source (circular economy and EPR system are key principles to reducing and managing plastic waste); and 3) enabling Public-Private-People Partnership (4P). Plastic production and consumption are on an increasing trend, while the alternatives to plastic products are not readily available. The suggestions to the Action Plan focuses on improving recycling facilities to increase the plastic recycling rate from an average of 17 percent (with PET being the majority by including PP and HDPE) and reducing plastic waste at its source for both land-based and sea-based pollutants. The land-based source will focus on improving solid waste management in the coastal area to prevent waste from being washed down estuaries and coastal zones. The sea-based source will focus on plastic waste from maritime human activities. The informed Action Plan will be in line with Thailand’s national strategy and circular economy as well as global SDGs. 4.2 Vision The vision is to drive toward the effective national plastic waste management based on the circular economy principle to ensure the achievement of the national target on marine plastic debris reduction. 4.3 Target The recommended Action Plan consists of two goals and four indicators to monitor the implementation progress, as shown in Table 7. Table 7. Targets and indicators of the Action Plan Targets Indicators Baseline 1) Reduce the amount of (1) Waste in coastal provinces is effectively managed (Not less than 95%) 81.39% (as of 2019) plastic waste from (2) Targeted plastic waste 42 found on beaches in the country's main * land-based and sea- tourist attractions decreased 50% compared to 2022 based sources (3) Waste from commercial fishing boats is handled correctly (80% ) 39.20% (as of 2020) 2) Reduce the impact of (4) Coral areas damaged by marine plastic debris to be decreased by ** marine plastic debris 50 percent of targeted areas compared to 2022 on ecosystems Note: * The baseline for this target is being compiled and will be officially set in 2022. Currently, the figure of 68.00 percent (2020) is only utilized for the calculation of estimated impact of the Action Plan. 42 Targeted plastic products found in large amounts of waste on beaches and in the sea are classified into four groups: (a) plastic bags: those with handles and others; (b) single-use plastic for food and beverage: plastic bottles, plastic straws, plastic bottle caps, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils (fork/knife/spoon/stirrer), and Styrofoam containers; and (c) fishing tools: ropes, nets, and trawls; and (d) other plastic wastes: cigarette butts. 46 ** The baseline for this target is being compiled and will be officially set in 2022. This figure of 0.0050 percent is from a preliminary survey from 25 stations in 2019 and use for estimation of the impact of the recommended Action Plan. These targets and indicators cover the management of marine plastic debris from both land-based and sea- based sources. The target values for the recommended Action Plan are based on the existing data, reasonable suggestions and requirements of the involved stakeholders, possibility of the implementation, and M&E according to indicators that can be systematically and continuously measured in the future. 4.4 Overall framework of the proposed Action Plan To achieve the specified targets and indicators, the overall framework of the proposed Thailand’s draft Action Plan on Marine Plastic is illustrated in Figure 18. This framework is developed comprehensively to cover the four stages of plastic management, including 1) plastic production, 2) plastic consumption/utilization, 3) plastic waste management, and 4) environmental impacts reduction from marine plastic debris. Corresponding to this, the 4 main phases of plastic value chain are established to support each phase of plastic management with the underlying detailed programs to drive the effective implementation of the proposed draft Action Plan, as shown Figure 18. Figure 18. Overall framework of the proposed Action Plan Phase I: Plastic production 1. Lay the foundation by setting standards and incentives for manufacturing 1.1 Mandate and harmonize source segregation and separate collection standards 1.1.1 Determine the code of conduct on using colors, labels, and types of plastic for producing the targeted plastic products which are easy to segregate for recycling according to circular 47 economy principles. To prevent non-packaging plastic applications from not getting recycled due to product design, align industries with design for recycling standards or eco-design. Especially in the case of multilayer, multi-material flexible packaging, voluntary steps and standards are needed to adopt mono-material replacements for multi-material packaging and increase the reparability of multi-material films. National mandates for ‘design for recycling’ standards for high-volume plastic applications such as packaging plastics will eventually create a level playing field where investments and changes toward design for recycling become mainstream and there are no free riders. 1.1.2 Mandate the reporting framework for plastic products. The PITH has an effective data collection system for the resin level. This should be extended to the product level where producers and retailers declare the amount of plastic products produced and sold into the market by polymer used, tonnage, and end-use sector. This allows for an accurate understanding of plastic products entering the country each year, instead of using elaborate models. Accurate reporting of consumption of resins and plastic products (especially for packaging products) is an important first step toward setting EPR targets for the industry. 1.1.3 Update HS codes for import/export of plastic resins and products. Import/export data based on 6–8-character HS codes enable an accurate breakdown of the trade of resins and products, ensuring that consumption data can be more accurately recorded, and more realistic and accurate EPR targets can be set for the industry. This will also help make trade in plastic resins and products more transparent and better regulated. 1.2 Set up recycled content targets and standards for major plastic use industries 1.2.1 Set standards of production and utilization of environmentally friendly plastic products or biodegradable plastics products for the defined food containers and packaging. Food-grade recycled plastics command the highest margins across all the major grades of recycled products from PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP resins. However, the potential for a large domestic market for recycled plastics in food-contact applications is currently untapped, and allowance for the recycled plastics in food-contact applications’ usage is required. Recycled plastic content standards or circular economy plastic products enable the gradual decoupling of recycled products from virgin prices. They guarantee a domestic demand and encourage investments into the plastics recycling industry. Implementing national standards for recycled products can also promote acceptance of recycled products as consumers feel confident about product performance and safety. Moreover, Thailand is now actuating for biodegradable plastic products for the export market though the green label scheme which automatically qualifies for green public procurement. Small and medium enterprises should be encouraged though incentives and opportunity to join the green label scheme as well. 1.2.2 Set up the reporting and data collection system of market pricing and volume of virgin and recycled plastics. Market data on pricing and volumes for recycled products encourage market liquidity and give confidence for new recyclers to enter the market, for current recyclers to grow their capacities, and for global plastic producers to buy recycled products from Thailand. Market data also make it easier to better anticipate the volatile pricing cycles for recycled products. 1.2.3 Digitalize the recyclables platform throughout the value chain. Demand for ethically sourced recyclables is expected to increase as brands increase their commitments to use recycled content. This requires increased transparency of the plastic value chain in Thailand by tracing the flow of materials through the informal collectors, junk shops, aggregators, and recyclers through digital tools, thereby increasing the value of plastics. This also enables more efficient routing of transport logistics for aggregators and recyclers. 1.2.4 Assess feasibility of regional scrap plastic trade/possibility for certified importers. Smaller and new recyclers entering the Thailand market can no longer rely on imported feedstock to complement their locally sourced feedstock, especially in the case of lower-value plastics such as HDPE, PP, and LDPE/LLDPE due to import restrictions on plastic waste. Larger and more established recyclers who have existing value chains set up in Thailand dominate the local 48 access to post-consumer materials, making it harder and more expensive for smaller or new recyclers to source feedstock. This has reduced the price yield for smaller and newer recyclers (as imported plastic waste tends to be less contaminated), thus reducing the value yield. Also, the existing import restrictions were mainly set up to solve the problem of illegal dumping of plastics, but these import restrictions alone do not solve the problem. Several recyclers in Thailand have been reported to ignore the existing strict pollution norms in Thailand, thereby undercutting those recyclers who incur high investment and operating costs for complying with the pollution regulations. A well-managed regional scrap plastics trade could be a key factor for recycling firms to access feedstock and invest in larger capacity if consistent quantity and quality of raw materials could be secured. Zero dumping of scrap plastics can be ensured by strengthening the monitoring mechanism on pollution norms for all recycling companies and awarding necessary licenses or permits only to companies that have set up necessary systems to follow environmental norms. 1.3 Investment incentives in changing the production process to environmental-friendly plastic products 1.3.1 Implement tax incentives for using recycled content. The government can stimulate demand while mitigating some of the infrastructural costs of incorporating post-consumer resin (PCR) into plastic products through introducing tax incentives for plastic products which contain PCR content above a certain percentage (for example, above 30 percent PCR). Therefore, brand owners and the rest of the value chain will be encouraged to include PCR content in their products. 1.3.2 Implement green public procurement of recycled plastic or circular products. The government can have a large impact on demand through consuming recycled resins by specifying recycled content for packaging bought or used and putting recycled plastic products on the list of environmental-friendly products and services included in the public green procurement system. This will increase the demand for packaging which meets the criteria or standards. 1.3.3 Tax on plastic applications without minimum recycled content. Once recycled content targets are set and other actions under the ‘Lay the foundation’ stage have been implemented, virgin material taxes should be levied on plastic products which do not clear the recycled content target. 1.3.4 Incentivize increase in recycling capacities for polyolefins (PP, PE). Resins with wide-ranging single-use applications such as PP, HDPE, and LDPE/LLDPE have wide gaps for recycling capacity: PP (81 percent gap), HDPE (79 percent gap), and LDPE/LLDPE (79 percent gap). Thus, they must be prioritized for investments. 1.3.5 Incentivize PET recycling to higher-end recycled products. Only 3 percent of PET packaging resin consumed is turned into food-grade recycled PET resin and all of this is exported due to the ban on food-grade recycled product usage in Thailand. Also, bales of post-consumer PET available within Thailand are unable to meet the quality standards for higher-end use applications such as Partially Oriented Yarn or food-grade bottles. Incentives for the use of targeted plastic waste and low-value plastics for business can be used to motivate the entrepreneurs. 1.4 Set up an enabling environment for the circular economy and EPR system. The low plastic storage rate for recycling is partly due to the lack of demand for recycled plastics from various industrial applications with limited use of recycled plastics and the lack of incentives to use recycled plastics with the following programs/projects: 1.4.1 Determine the regulations to support the circular economy and EPR principle under existing information and related research. 1.4.2 Review and develop guidelines for implementation of the circular economy and EPR principle to expand the adaptation. These can be conducted while setting up the EPR system (for example, producer responsibility organization [PRO]) setup, and private sector companies have decades of experience in several countries and regions in operating PROs. Industry-led 49 precompetitive PROs provide the private sector with the flexibility to implement various economic tools to increase CFR while ensuring that the funds collected are directed toward collection systems. 1.4.3 Provide incentives to small producers to voluntarily use the EPR principle. 1.4.4 Capacity-building program/training in product design of the targeted plastics that are environmentally friendly. 1.5 Set R&D support and funding to enhance innovation in materials development. To reduce and discontinue the use of targeted plastic products, there must be alternatives that meet the user’s demands and are affordable. There must also be no other impact on the use of such substitute materials/products. Therefore, the entrepreneur must focus on research and develop innovation for plastic replacements with the following programs/projects: 1.5.1 Innovative bioengineering/substitute packaging materials which are multilayered plastics and their utilization. 1.5.2 Innovative substitutes for targeted single-plastic products. 1.5.3 Fisheries technology/innovative on fishing gears to reduce the impacts on other marine animals, reduce loss, and facilitate recycling. 1.5.4 Studies and research on the impacts of plastic replacement materials/products throughout the product life cycle and food chain contamination. Phase II: Plastic consumption 2. Reduce the use of targeted plastic products and create consumer responsibility 2.1 Reducing and eliminating targeted plastic products 2.1.1 Establish the ‘single-use-plastic-free’ zone in selected areas including marine conservation zones and touristic destinations. 2.1.2 Develop guideline to reduce single-use plastics for operators in coastal zones and islands by studying the appropriate models and conducting experiments in the pilot areas. 2.1.3 Establish training/curriculum in formal and informal educational institutions on waste segregation and single-use plastics prevention. 2.1.4 Set up incentive measure to reduce the usage of single-use plastics for online food and product delivery services and to collect the after-used plastics. 2.2 Adopting measures based on evidence from behavioral economics 2.2.1 PPP cooperation on the development of an “SEP for Free Shopping - Separating for Shopping” app–a mobile application to encourage waste segregation by type to check in and deposit at the assigned drop point in exchange for the shopping discount of the participating brands. 2.2.2 Conduct cost-benefit analysis and identify lessons learned in setting up a plastic waste drop point to find ways to support and expand results in coastal tourism areas. 2.2.3 Mandate trading of plastic collection credits to meet targets. Trading of plastics collection credits ensures a market-based mechanism where producers are not required to collect their own packaging but are required to ensure that an equivalent amount of packaging waste has been collected to meet their obligation. 2.2.4 Implement the pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) waste collection model. PAYT is a usage-pricing model in which users are charged based on how much waste they throw away. This gives 50 incentives to individual households to reduce the amount of waste disposed of. Faced with a direct form of unit pricing for the waste they produced, households are motivated to source- segregate or recycle as much of their waste as possible so that they are able to avoid paying the fees associated with the PAYT system. In this way, waste disposal resembles other utilities more closely, where the customer pays for the services provided. Three key components need to be in place for effective implementation of the PAYT/save-as- you-reduce (SAYR) scheme: (a) user identification system, (b) measuring of the volume of waste generated, and (c) provision of a publicly acceptable charging scheme. 2.3 Preventing pollution from garbage on ships. Plastic products are used by the crew for a large number of services of various types of vessels, including commercial fishing vessels, tourist boats, and cargo ships. Therefore, it is important to prevent pollution from waste on the vessels with the following programs/projects: 2.5.2 Enforce the law on prevention of pollution from garbage on the ships in accordance with Annex 5 of MARPOL Convention. 2.5.3 Develop a reporting system for management of fishing gears after use for commercial fishing vessels. 2.5.4 Direct all types of ports and fishing piers to have an infrastructure to support the collection and management of garbage from ships and fishing gears that is accurate and verifiable. 2.4 Reducing fishing gear loss and reporting of fishing gear after use. Fishing tools like nets are an important component, which are found lingering in the sea, with some spreading over the seafloor and reefs and affecting the marine ecosystem. Some nets wrap the bodies of rare marine animals, which causes wounds and hinder growth and foraging. Therefore, there must be guidelines for reducing the loss of fishing gears and controlling proper disposal after they are used. 2.4.1 Invest in the research, tracing technology, and innovation to identify and monitor lost fishing gears. 2.4.2 Provide subsidy/incentives for fishing vessel operators for fishing gears modification to reduce the impacts on the marine ecosystem, reduce loss and facilitate recycling. 2.4.3 Promote the use of used fishing nets and their parts for commercial purposes. 2.5 Communication and outreach for environmentally friendly products and services to consumers of all ages and genders. Consumers use plastic packaging and single-use plastics for convenience. In the past, consumer participation in reducing plastic waste has been minimal due to a lack of awareness of the effects of single-use plastics. Plastic products are used excessively, so environmentally friendly products and services should be promoted so that consumers are aware of a sustainable way to use plastic products and packaging. 2.5.1 Enhance public recognition of logos/labels of plastic products designed and manufactured (according to the established mandate in Phase I). 2.5.2 Public relation campaigns on the information, impacts, and options on plastic substitute products. Awareness, behavior change, and understanding campaigns that focus on litter prevention, source segregation (for example, dry vs wet waste), recycling, and the effects of single-use plastics for consumers of all genders and ages are critical for the success of plastics’ circularity. EPR systems in place (for example, PRO) and other companies from consumer- facing industries which use plastics can partner with the government to identify behaviors to be addressed and levers for changing the behaviors and to ensure consistent messaging and communication. The communications should be backed up with infrastructure that enables citizens to participate in the solutions. 2.5.3 Fiscal/tax incentives for tourism businesses to organize marine tourism programs and activities that are environmentally friendly. 51 Phase III: Plastic waste management 3. Increase the efficiency of waste management in coastal areas 3.1 Supervise for waste segregation and disposal at the source. Waste management is the responsibility of the local government that manages the sorting, gathering, and disposal of waste, which is essential to the efficiency of the entire system. It affects the use of plastic waste to be recycled, so there should be effective supervision throughout the system with the following program/projects: 3.2.3 Mandate targets to lower landfill disposal rates for plastics (synchronized with MOI’s key performance indicator). Setting reduction targets for landfill disposal rate encourages local governments to support alternative treatment options, including recycling and energy recovery. 3.2.4 Establish systematic data collection of waste disposal at the local level to improve solid waste management data. • Increase systematic sampling of solid waste generation and waste composition as part of routine activities (annually) of local authorities or sub-district levels. • Register waste that arrives at recycling shops. • Require recycling shops to provide details (such as the amounts of the various types of waste that arrive, the individual recycling rate, and where they are being disposed of). • Detect leakage of plastic waste around controlled dumps and open dumpsites. 3.2.5 Increase waste collection and tipping fees to reflect the reasonable cost of waste management. Landfill tipping fee in Thailand remains low at THB 300–500 per ton when compared to benchmark standards. Landfilling thus remains economically attractive for waste collectors and lowers the incentive for investing in processes to divert plastics to energy recovery or recycling. 3.2.6 Ensure separate collection of biodegradable plastics and assess feasibility of composting facilities. While biodegradable plastics can be a useful alternative for plastics which are of lower value or harder to recycle (for example, multilayer, multi-material films), they can become a contaminant if they end up in existing recycling processes. Furthermore, if the consumption of biodegradable plastics in Thailand is scaled up significantly, separate collection and treatment of biodegradable plastics together with organic waste is needed. 3.2.7 Improve the entrance fees for marine attractions and island areas to accurately cover the cost of waste management in the area. 3.2.8 Support public-private partnerships on waste management system. 3.2 Enhance cooperation and capacity for waste management in coastal areas. Many local government organizations have limited potential for an efficient entire waste management system. It was found that waste management fees collected did not cover the management costs, which affected the efficiency of waste management. In addition, most of the waste disposal sites in the coastal provinces have performed improperly, and hence there should be cooperation and support from various sectors at the provincial and local levels with the following plans/projects: 3.3.3 Integrate of the waste management plan into the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act (2007) to prevent marine debris entering waterways during disaster events. 3.3.4 Establish public-private cooperation in infrastructure development to support the proper waste management and recycling of plastics at the local level in line with the circular economy model. 3.3.5 Establish dedicated material recovery facilities (MRFs) or sorting centers (as part of the waste collection system). Sorting of recyclables in Thailand today happens at each collection site and at transfer stations and is neither efficient nor effective. MRFs provide economies of 52 scale to sort and segregate dry waste in their respective categories which can then be sent to their respective recyclers. MRFs also provide secure jobs for workers from the informal collection sector and can be operated as micro-enterprises. Additionally, MRFs improve productivity and quality by integrating technologies such as optical sorting systems (especially in times like COVID-19 when the number of worker falls). 3.3.6 Promote public-private partnership investment appropriate recycling options for low-value plastics such as plastic as construction material and waste to energy. 3.3.7 Establish a group or community enterprise including garbage bank in the coastal communities/ island areas for the waste recycling mechanism, with a focus on the role of women. 3.3 Strengthen informal waste management sector 3.4.3 Officially register informal waste pickers and provide ID cards. 3.4.4 Provide training and develop applications for capacity building to strengthen ability to collect waste more efficiently. 3.4.5 Establish appropriate financial mechanism that is, revolving fund, subsidy/low-to-zero loan programs, for business development of the recycling plants, junk shops, and Informal waste pickers (Saleng). 3.4.6 Establish cooperatives of informal waste pickers, potentially by a government subcontractor. Promote the welfare and living standards of informal waste pickers–perks and initiatives could include annual health check-ups, life insurance and annual bonuses for collecting more than a certain amount. 3.4.7 Focus on logistic arrangement and managing transfer stations to facilitate the informal waste pickers who work in their premises to discuss solutions for improving the working conditions and enable them to divert waste more effectively from landfills. 3.4.8 Establish and strengthen the network of waste collection centers throughout the country by expanding the PPP Plastics network. 3.4 Expand successful pilot areas of waste management at the local level. In the past, there have been several successful local level cases of waste management, arising from the cooperation of many sectors to support the operations of coastal communities and island communities. It was found that women play an important role in driving operations in many cases. However, operations are still limited in each area. Therefore, more lessons are learned and expanded with the following work programs/ projects. 4.1.3 Develop and strengthen the principal model mechanism based on the lessons learned from existing initiatives. This includes the pilots model from PPP Plastic such as the Rayong Model for the provincial level, Klongtoey Model for business centers, and drop-points of PPP Plastics. 4.1.4 Expand the plastic waste management model to other areas to add value to coastal communities and islands. Phase IV: Environmental impacts reduction from marine plastic debris 4. Reducing environmental impacts from marine plastic debris 4.1 Establish systematic data collection on the estuary, coastal and marine debris. Rivers are an important route to bring plastic waste leaking from the terrestrial environment into the marine environment. It is constantly being developed to fit into actual use and help reduce the leakage of plastic waste into the sea with the following programs/ projects: 4.1.1 Promote the development of estuary waste trapping technology. 53 4.1.2 Develop and harmonize system to monitor the plastic leakage and marine ecosystem contamination by types of plastic. 4.1.3 Build public-private-people cooperation to collect marine debris regularly. 4.2 Survey and monitor the condition and restoration of affected ecosystems. There should be continuous and systematic monitoring of the ecosystems affected by marine plastic debris to lead to a systematic restoration plan. Ecosystems must rely on research, knowledge, technology development, and innovation to support operations with the following programs/projects: 4.2.1 Survey, monitor and assess the impacts of marine plastic debris on the coastal and marine ecosystems by season. 4.2.2 Support R&D of knowledge and innovation in restoring ecosystems affected by marine plastic debris. 4.2.3 Address the impacts of marine plastic debris on the ecosystems. Several agencies have studied the impacts of Thailand's marine plastic debris and microplastics in different areas, but little data remain, and there is a lack of continuity of information. Therefore, there should be ongoing and systematic studies according to academic principles to be able to link the overall information of Thailand with the following work programs/projects: • Conduct in-depth study/research on the impacts and ways to mitigate the impacts from marine debris. • Set up guidelines and standards for microplastics monitoring in the marine environment. • Survey and monitor the changes and impacts of microplastic contamination in the marine ecosystem throughout the food chain. • Add-on the status of the monitoring center by Thailand’s universities and research institutes. • Investigate and identify the leakage of macro/microplastics from various sources in the economic value chain. 4.3 Develop a database and enhance cooperation among ASEAN member countries. In the past, data on plastic waste found in different ecosystems were collected by several entities according to their respective authorities, which still lacked the unity and coherence of the overall national data and links with regional information. Cooperation and exchange of actions among ASEAN member countries will be a key mechanism for solving marine plastic debris in the region, with the following programs/projects: 4.3.1 Evaluate the amount and types of marine plastic debris and develop a national database. Synchronize data from measure 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 into the national database. 4.3.2 Encourage the linkages of database systems and the marine plastic debris monitoring and evaluation systems of the ASEAN countries. 4.3.3 Establish regional monitoring systems of marine plastic debris. 4.3.4 Explore the establishment of regional center for marine plastic debris monitoring and management. 4.3.5 Encourage material flow analysis of plastic waste at ASEAN level. 4.3.6 Promote cooperation in applying the circular economy in addressing comprehensive waste management and exchanging information and experiences on marine plastic debris management among ASEAN member countries and partner organizations/countries. 54 4.5 Estimated economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan To ensure effective utilization of the budget, this section presents the analysis and estimation of economic impacts upon the successful implementation of the Action Plan. With the specified target indicators of the proposed draft Action Plan, the framework of relevant baselines, targets for 2027, and the associated economic returns and economic costs is summarized in Table 8. Table 8. Framework for an analysis of the economic impacts on the proposed Action Plan Baseline Target in Baseline Economic Return/ Thailand’s Proposed Action Plan’s Indicators (%) 2027 (%) (MT) Economic Cost 1) Solid waste in the coastal provinces 81.39a 95.00% 27,531.42a Net present value manage properly (NPV) of recycled plastics f 2) Proportion of recyclable plastic waste 17.60b 40.00% 3) Targeted plastic waste* found on the 68.00c 34.00% 11.337c beaches in the main tourist destinations of the country 4) Waste from the commercial fishing boats 39.20d 80.00% 97.567d NPV of costs of coral and cargo vessels to be managed properly restoration and opportunity costs in 5) Coral area damaged by marine debris 0.0050e 0.001% 1,490.25e the tourism sector g (Rai**) Sources: a Report of the situation of municipal solid waste disposal facilities of the year 2019, PCD b Weighted average of the Collection for Recycle Rate: World Bank Group 2021. Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. c Annual Report on the Situation of Marine and Coastal Resources, DMCR d Returning marine waste to the Shore Project during November 2019-December 2020, Department of Fisheries e Coral situation statistics, DMCR f Weighted Average Most Value of Recycled Plastic is calculated based on the weighted average of the most valuable recycled product from 5 main plastic products in Thailand – PET Packaging, LDPE/ LLDPR, HDPE, PP, and PET Polyester from the Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. World Bank Group 2021. g Costs of Coral Restoration and Opportunity Costs in Tourism Sector is calculated based on the monetizing value of impact to the affected coral reef including (i) cost of coral restoration, (ii) opportunity cost in term of tourism revenue, and (iii) opportunity cost in term of willingness to pay to support for the existence of the coral reef, from the Impact Assessment Report of Construction of Karn Airport in Suratthani Province, Thailand Note: * Targeted plastic wastes Targeted plastic products are plastic that found in large amounts of waste on beaches and in the sea, classified into 4 groups, 1)Plastic bags: those with handles and others 2)Food and beverage containers and packages: plastic bottles, plastic straws, plastic bottle caps, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils (fork/knife/spoon/stirrer) and Styrofoam containers. 3) Fishing tools: ropes, nets, and trawls 4)Other plastic wastes: cigarette butts and styrofoam waste ** 1 Rai = 1,600 m2 In terms of economic impacts, this analysis focuses on two main quantifiable returns/costs: (a) the NPV of recycled plastic and (b) the NPV of coral restoration and opportunity costs in the tourism sector. The targets of ‘the proportion of recyclable plastic waste’ (the second indicator) and ‘the targeted plastic waste found on the beaches in the main tourist destinations of the country’ (the third indicator) are considered to be subsets of ‘the solid waste in the coastal provinces to be managed properly’ (the first indicator). Once the plastic disposal, as a part of the solid waste, is managed properly, it will generate economic returns in terms of the highest value of the recycled plastic. Also, the targets of ‘the waste from the commercial fishing boats and cargo vessels to be managed properly’ (the fourth indicator) and ‘the coral area damaged by marine debris’ (the fifth indicator) will, in turn, contribute to the relevant coral restoration and opportunity costs in the tourism sector. 55 Some additional assumptions required to estimate the economic impacts of the Action Plan are summarized in Table 9. Table 9. Assumptions required for the estimation of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan Assumptions 1. Annual growth of solid waste (2009-2019)1 1.75% 2. Exchange Rate (THB/ USD)2 31.40 3. Discount rate 3.0% 4. Inflation rate 1.0% 5. Percentage of degraded coral due to plastic waste3 0.0050% 6. Weighted Average Most Value of Recycled Plastic (US$)4 1,078.49 Sources: a. Average growth of municipal solid waste disposal during the year 2009-2019, PCD b. Weighted-average Interbank Exchange Rate as of May 21, 2021, Bank of Thailand, https:/ / www.bot.or.th/ english/ layouts/ application/ exchange rate/ exchangerate.aspx c. This figure of 0.0050 percent is from a preliminary survey from 25 stations by DMCR in 2019 for draft estimation of the impact of this proposed(Draft) Action Plan. d. Constant ratio of plastic waste components over time is assumed to enable for the estimation of weighted average most value of recycled plastic of 5 main plastic products in Thailand – PET Packaging, LDPE/ LLDPR, HDPE, PP, and PET Polyester from the Market Study for Thailand: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers. Marine Plastics Series, East Asia and Pacific Region. Washington DC. World Bank Group 2021. Along with this framework of analysis and the required assumptions, the time series analysis of the two main economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan is developed as illustrated in Table 10. To analyze the progress in the implementation of the Annual Action, the targets of the following indicators are established in a progressive manner over the implementing period of 2023–2027: (a) solid waste in the coastal provinces to be managed properly, (b) proportion of recyclable plastic waste, and (c) coral area damaged by marine debris. 56 Table 10. Estimation of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan Total NPV Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (as of 2021) Solid waste in the coastal provinces to be 81.4 81.4 81.4 85.0 85.0 85.0 90.0 90.0 95.0 managed properly (%) Proportion of recyclable plastic waste (%) 17.60 17.60 17.60 20 20 20 30 30 40 Solid waste in the coastal provinces (MT) 33,826.54 34,418.50 35,020.83 35,633.69 36,257.28 36,891.78 37,537.39 38,194.29 38,862.69 Solid waste in the coastal provinces to be 27,531.42 28,013.22 28,503.45 30,288.64 30,818.69 31,358.02 33,783.65 34,374.86 36,919.56 managed properly (MT) Weighted average most value of recycled 33,864.62 34,203.27 34,545.30 34,890.76 35,239.66 35,592.06 35,947.98 36,307.46 36,670.54 plastic (THB per MT) Net Present Value (NPV) of Recycled Plastics 204,739,415.10 204,277,260.59 323,708,001.83 322,977,301.73 453,534,575.51 1,509,236,554.76 Coral area damaged by marine debris (%) 0.0050 0.0050 0.0050 0.0050 0.0050 0.0050 0.0040 0.0030 0.0025 Total coral areas by marine debris (Rai) 7.45 7.45 7.45 7.45 6.69 5.94 5.56 Total coral areas in the Andaman Gulfa (Rai) 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 73,365.00 Coral area in the Andaman Gulf damaged by marine debris (Rai) 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67 Total coral area in the Gulf of Thailand* (Rai) 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 75,660.00 Coral area in the Gulf of Thailand damaged by marine debris (Rai) 3.78 3.78 3.78 3.78 3.03 2.27 1.89 Costs of coral restoration and opportunity costs in tourism sector (THB/ m2) 37,635.95 38,012.31 38,392.43 38,776.36 39,164.12 39,555.76 39,951.32 40,350.83 40,754.34 NPV of costs of coral restoration and 440,111,833.80 444,512,952.14 403,370,873.53 361,361,502.06 341,723,361.57 1,991,080,523.11 opportunity costs in the tourism sector Total economic value in achieving the targets 644,851,248.90 648,790,212.73 727,078,875.36 684,338,803.78 795,257,937.08 3,500,317,077.86 of the Action Plan at current value (2021) Sources: Author’s estimation Note: a. The coral area statistics in Thailand is further classified into two main areas: the Andaman Gulf (west side) and the Gulf of Thailand (east side) 57 Based on the estimation in Table 10, with the underlying assumptions, the economic impacts were calculated as a sum of the NPV at the current year (2021) of the two main economic returns and economic costs over the implementing period of 2023–2027. Therefore, the total economic impact of the Action Plan is approximately THB 3.5 billion (US$111.47 million), including the NPV of recycled plastics and the NPV coral restoration and opportunity costs over the implementing period of around THB 1.5 billion (US$48.06 million) and THB 2.0 billion (US$63.41 million), respectively. Table 11. Sensitivity analysis of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan Annual growth Discount Inflation Economic Economic rate of solid Rate Rate Impacts Impacts Sensitivity Analysis waste (%) (%) (THB) (US$) generated (%) 1) Conservative base case 1.75 3.00 1.00 3,500,317,077.86 111,475,066.17 Net Present Value (NPV) of 1,509,236,554.76 48,064,858.43 Recycled Plastics Net Present Value of Costs of Coral Restoration and Opportunity Costs 1,991,080,523.11 63,410,207.74 in Tourism Sector 2) Higher rate of solid waste 8.00 3.00 1.00 4,209,969,724.48 134,075,468.93 generated a Net Present Value (NPV) of 2,218,889,201.37 70,665,261.19 Recycled Plastics Net Present Value of Costs of Coral Restoration and Opportunity Costs 1,991,080,523.11 63,410,207.74 in Tourism Sector 3) Higher inflation rate 1.75 3.00 3.00 3,946,291,030.73 125,678,058.30 Net Present Value (NPV) of 1,711,946,422.08 54,520,586.69 Recycled Plastics Net Present Value of Costs of Coral Restoration and Opportunity Costs 2,234,344,608.65 71,157,471.61 in Tourism Sector 4) Higher rate of solid waste generated and higher inflation 8.00 3.00 3.00 4,756,804,281.27 151,490,582.21 rate Net Present Value (NPV) of 2,522,459,672.62 80,333,110.59 Recycled Plastics Net Present Value of Costs of Coral Restoration and Opportunity Costs 2,234,344,608.65 71,157,471.61 in Tourism Sector Sources: Author’s estimation Note: a. Maximum growth of municipal solid waste disposal during the year 2009-2019, PCD The sensitivity analysis was conducted based on the more varied underlying assumptions on the higher rate of solid waste generated up to 8 percent per year and the higher rate of inflation up to 3 percent. As a result of this variation, the total economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan range between THB 3.5 billion (US$111.47 billion) and THB 4.75 billion (US$151.49 million). It is worth noting that there are a number of economic returns beyond the two main economic impacts quantified in this analysis. When more required information is available, the economic return, due to the marine debris reduction in the whole coastal area, to the tourism sector as well as the fisheries and aquaculture industry should be explored. Other indirect impacts on the public health resulting from the microplastics and marine ecosystem should also be estimated. 58 4.6 Programs and budget To ensure long-term benefits, the proposed Action Plan covers five years in a rolling multiyear manner from 2023 to 2027. Apart from the overall framework and the operating principle, the proposed lists of detailed programs/projects together with the responsibilities of the recommended main and supporting agencies, the tentative budgets, and suggested indicators for the tangible monitoring and evaluation, to ensure the achievement of the proposed Action Plan’s targets, are presented in Table 12. The estimation of the economic impacts of the proposed Action Plan presented in the previous section could lead to the consideration of the maximum budget allocation for the implementation of the proposed Action Plan in each year during 2023–2027. The positive economic benefits of THB 600–800 million each year, as shown in Table 10, indicate the budget allocation of approximately THB 500-700 million each year for the implementation of the proposed Action Plan. This would yield an average annual economic return of about 20 percent. The budget for implementation of the four measures under the proposed Action Plan requires most for measure 3: Increase the efficiency of waste management in coastal areas about 35.29 percentage, to give the priority to prevent leakage of plastic waste from the land into the sea. Several actions are proposed to increase the efficiency of local government organizations in waste management which include supervising waste disposal sites, upscaling the plastic recycling processes, and promoting waste management at the community level. The majority of the budget is required for the second and third years of implementation, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19. Proportion of budget Figure 20. Budget required by year to implement the proposed utilization for measures of the proposed Action Plan Action Plan Note: Measure 1: Lay the foundation through setting standards and incentives for manufacturing Measure 2: Reduce the use of targeted plastic products and create consumer responsibility Measure 3: Increase the efficiency of waste management in coastal areas Measure 4: Reducing environmental impact from marine plastic debris 59 Table 12. Recommended detailed plans/projects, budget, and responsible agencies Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support Phase I :Plastic Production 1 Lay the foundation through setting standards and incentives for 137.0 176.0 167.0 132.0 125.0 737.0 manufacturing 1.1 Mandate and harmonize source segregation and separate collection standards 1.1.1 Determine the code of conduct on using colors, labels, and types of 5.0 4.0 - - - 9.0 Gov. TISI/ TEI MNRE/ NRCT/ FDA/ TISTR/ plastic for producing the targeted plastic products which are easy MTEC/ PITH/ FTI to segregate for recycling according to circular economy principles 1.1.2 Mandate the reporting framework for plastic products 2.0 - - - - 2.0 Gov. TCD MOF/ M-Industry/ PITH 1.1.3 Update HS codes for import/export of plastic resins and products 2.0 - - - - 2.0 Gov. TCD MOF/ M-Industry/ PITH 1.2 Set up recycled content targets and standards for major plastic use industries 1.2.1 Set standards of production and utilization of environmental- 10.0 5.0 - - - 15.0 Gov. TISI/ TEI MNRE/ NRCT/ FDA/ TISTR/ friendly plastic products or biodegradable plastics products for the MTEC/ PITH/ FTI defined food containers and packaging. 1.2.2 Set up the reporting and data collection system of market pricing 2.0 2.0 - - - 4.0 Gov. OIE M-Industry/ PITH and volume of virgin and recycled plastics. 1.2.3 Digitalize the recyclables platform throughout the value chain. - 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 12.0 PPP OIE M-Industry/ PITH 1.2.4 Assess feasibility of regional scrap plastic trade/possibility for 3.0 3.0 - - - 6.0 Gov./ IA MOF/ OIE MOF/ MNRE/ PITH certified importers. 1.3 Investment incentives in changing the production process to environmental-friendly plastic products 1.3.1 Implement tax incentives for using recycled content. - 10.0 10.0 - - 20.0 Gov. MOF/ RD FPO 1.3.2 Implement green public procurement of recycled plastic or circular 3.0 - - - - 3.0 Gov. MOF/ PCD OPM/ DEQP/ TEI products. 1.3.3 Tax on plastic applications without minimum recycled content. - 2.0 2.0 2.0 - 6.0 Gov. MOF/ RD FPO 1.3.4 Incentivize increase in recycling capacities for polyolefins (PP, PE). 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 250.0 Gov. MHESI/ DIP M-Industry 1.3.5 Incentivize PET recycling to higher-end recycled products. 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 250.0 Gov. MHESI/ DIP M-Industry 1.4 Set up an enabling environment for the circular economy and EPR system. 1.4.1 Determine the regulations to support the circular economy and 5.0 5.0 - - - 10.0 Gov. M-Industry/ MNRE/ MHESI/ FTI/ TIMPSE EPR principle under existing information and related research. PCD 60 Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support 1.4.2 Review and develop guidelines for implementation of the circular - - 5.0 5.0 5.0 15.0 Gov. DIW/ IEAT MNRE/ MOF/ OIE/ MOC/ economy and EPR principle to expand the adaptation. MHESI 1.4.3 Provide incentives to small producers to voluntarily use the EPR - 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 8.0 Gov. M-Industry/ MNRE/ MOF/ MHESI / TIMPSE principle. PCD 1.4.4 Capacity-building program/training in product design of the 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 Gov./ IA TISI/ TEI M-Industry/ MOF/ MOC/ targeted plastics that are environmentally friendly. MNRE/ PITH/ FTI 1.5 Set R&D support and funding to enhance innovation in materials development. 1.5.1 Innovative bioengineering/substitute packaging materials which - 5.0 10.0 5.0 - 20.0 PPP MHESI/ NRCT MTEC/ FTI/ TIPMSE are multilayered plastics and their utilization. 1.5.2 Innovative substitutes for targeted single-plastic products. - 10.0 10.0 - - 20.0 PPP MHESI MTEC/ NRCT/ TISTR/ TIPMSE 1.5.3 Fisheries technology/innovative on fishing gears to reduce the - 10.0 10.0 5.0 5.0 30.0 Gov./ IA DOF DMCR impacts on other marine animals, reduce loss, and facilitate recycling. 1.5.4 Studies and research on the impacts of plastic replacement - 10.0 10.0 5.0 5.0 30.0 Gov./ IA MHESI/ MTEC TISTR/ TIPMSE materials/products throughout the product life cycle and food chain contamination. Phase II :Plastic Consumption 2 Reduce the use of targeted plastic products and create consumer 76.0 116.0 173.0 138.0 133.0 636.0 responsibility 2.1 Reducing and eliminating targeted plastic products 2.1.1 Establish the ‘single-use-plastic-free’ zone in selected areas - - 5.0 5.0 5.0 15.0 Gov. MNRE/ MHESI DNP/ DMCR/ MOI/ LGO including marine conservation zones and touristic destinations. 2.1.2 Develop guideline to reduce single-use plastics for operators in 10.0 10.0 10.0 - - 30.0 Gov. MNRE/ MHESI DNP/ DMCR/ MOI/ LGO coastal zones and islands, by studying the appropriate models and conducting experiments in the pilot areas. 2.1.3 Establish training/curriculum in formal and informal educational 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 Gov. MOE/ MHESI MNRE/ PCD/ DEQP institutions on waste segregation and single-use plastics prevention. 2.1.4 Set up incentive measure to reduce the usage of single-use plastics 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 15.0 PPP PCD MHESI/ Private sector for online food and product delivery services and to collect the after-used plastics. 2.2 Adopting measures based on evidence from behavioral economics 2.2.1 PPP cooperation on the development of an “SEP for Free Shopping 5.0 5.0 5.0 - - 15.0 PPP MNRE/ DEQP PPP Plastic/ Private sector 61 Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support 2.2.2 Conduct cost-benefit analysis and identify lessons learned in setting 5.0 5.0 5.0 - - 15.0 Gov. MHESI/ NRCT FTI/ PPP Plastic/ TEI up a plastic waste drop point to find ways to support and expand results in coastal tourism areas. 2.2.3 Mandate trading of plastic collection credits to meet targets. - - - 10.0 10.0 20.0 Gov. MOF 2.2.4 Implement the pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) waste collection model. 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 Gov. MOI/ DLA LGO 2.3 Preventing pollution from garbage on the ships. 2.3.1 Enforce the law on prevention of pollution from garbage on the 3.0 3.0 - - - 6.0 Gov. MD PCD/ DMCR/ DOF ships. 2.3.2 Develop a reporting system for management of fishing gears after - 5.0 5.0 5.0 - 15.0 IA DOF DMCR use for commercial fishing vessels. 2.3.3 Direct all types of ports and fishing piers to have an infrastructure - 15.0 15.0 10.0 10.0 50.0 Gov. MD/ PAT LGO/ PONRE to support the collection and management of garbage from ships and fishing gears that is accurate and verifiable. 2.4 Reducing fishing gear loss and reporting of fishing gear after use. 2.4.1 Invest in the research, tracing technology, and innovation to 20.0 20.0 20.0 - - 60.0 IA DOF DMCR identify and monitor lost fishing gears. 2.4.2 Provide subsidy/incentives for fishing vessel operators for fishing - - 50.0 50.0 50.0 150.0 IA DOF DMCR gears modification to reduce the impacts on the marine ecosystem, reduce loss and facilitate recycling. 2.4.3 Promote the use of used fishing nets and their parts for commercial - 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 80.0 Gov. M-Industry MNRE/ MHESI purposes. 2.5 Communication and outreach for the environmental-friendly products and services to consumers of all ages and genders. 2.5.1 Enhance public recognition of logos/labels of plastic products - - 5.0 5.0 5.0 15.0 Gov. TISI/ OIE MOF/ MOC designed and manufactured (according to the established mandate in Phase I). 2.5.2 Public relation campaigns on the information, impacts, and options 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 Gov. DEQP/ PRD MNRE/ M-Industry/ DIW/ TEI on plastic substitute products. 2.5.3 Fiscal/tax incentives for tourism businesses to organize marine 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 75.0 Gov. MOTS/ PRD DMCR/ DNP/ DOT/ TAT tourism programs and activities that are environmentally friendly. Phase III :Plastic waste management 3 Increase the efficiency of waste management in coastal areas 152.0 189.0 259.0 241.0 221.0 1,062.0 3.1 Supervise for waste segregation and disposal at the source. 3.1.1 Mandate targets to lower landfill disposal rates for plastics 1.0 - - - - 1.0 Gov. MNRE/ MOI DLA/ LGO/ PCD/ DEQP (Synchronized with MOI’s key performance indicator). 3.1.2 Establish systematic data collection of waste disposal at the local 3.0 3.0 3.0 - - 9.0 Gov. MNRE/ MOI DLA/ LGO/ PCD level to improve solid waste management data. 62 Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support 3.1.3 Increase waste collection and tipping fees to reflect the reasonable - 5.0 5.0 - - 10.0 Gov. MOI/ DLA LGO cost of waste management. 3.1.4 Ensure separate collection of biodegradable plastics and assess - - 3.0 3.0 3.0 9.0 IA MNRE/ PCD/ DIW/ PITH feasibility of composting facilities. M-Industry 3.1.5 Improve the entrance fees for marine attractions and island areas 5.0 - - - - 5.0 Gov. DNP/ DMCR DOT/ PCD to accurately cover the cost of waste management in the area. 3.1.6 Support public-private partnerships on waste management system. 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 PPP DLA/ LGO MNRE/ MHESI/ PPP plastic/ Private sector 3.2 Enhance cooperation and capacity for waste management in coastal areas. 3.2.1 Integrate of the waste management plan into the Disaster - 3.0 10.0 10.0 - 23.0 Gov. PCD/ DDPM MHESI Prevention and Mitigation Act (2007) to prevent marine debris entering waterways during disaster events. 3.2.2 Establish public-private cooperation in infrastructure development 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 500.0 PPP DLA/ LGO MNRE/ MHESI/ Private sector to support the proper waste management and recycling of plastics at the local level in line with the Circular Economy Model. 3.2.3 Establish dedicated material recovery facilities (MRFs) or sorting - - 50.0 50.0 50.0 150.0 PPP DLA/ LGO MNRE/ MHESI/ PPP plastic/ centers (as part of the waste collection system). Private sector 3.2.4 Promote public-private partnership investment appropriate - 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 40.0 PPP BOI/ DIW M-Industry/ MOF/ MHESI/ FTI recycling options for low-value plastics such as plastic as construction material and waste to energy. 3.2.5 Establish a group or community enterprise including garbage bank - 10.0 10.0 10.0 - 30.0 PPP LGO/ DOF DMCR/ MOI/ Private sector in the coastal communities/ island areas for the waste recycling mechanism, with a focus on the role of women. 3.3 Strengthen informal waste management sector 3.3.1 Officially register informal waste pickers and provide ID cards. 3.0 3.0 3.0 - - 9.0 Gov. PCD/ LGO FTI/ MNRE/ MOI 3.3.2 Provide training and develop applications for capacity building to - - 5.0 5.0 5.0 15.0 Gov. PCD/ LGO FTI/ MNRE/ MOI strengthen ability to collect waste more efficiently. 3.3.3 Establish appropriate financial mechanism that is, revolving fund, - - 5.0 5.0 5.0 15.0 Gov. MOF/ RD LGO/ FTI subsidy/low-to-zero loan programs, for business development of the recycling plants, junk shops, and Informal waste pickers (Saleng). 3.3.4 Establish cooperatives of informal waste pickers, potentially by a - - - 3.0 3.0 6.0 Gov. PCD/ LGO FTI/ MNRE/ MOI government subcontractor. 3.3.5 Logistic arrangement and managing transfer stations to facilitate 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 100.0 PPP DLA/ LGO MNRE/ MHESI/ Private sector the informal waste pickers who work in their premises to discuss 63 Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support solutions for improving the working conditions and enable them to divert waste more effectively from landfills. 3.3.6 Establish and strengthening the network of waste collection 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 50.0 PPP DEQP/ PRD MNRE/ PCD/ Private sector centers throughout the country by expanding the PPP Plastics network. 3.4 Expand successful pilot areas of waste management at the local level. 3.4.1 Develop and strengthen the principal model mechanism based on 5.0 10.0 10.0 - - 25.0 Gov. DEQP PCD/ MOI the lessons learned from existing initiatives. 3.4.2 Expand the plastic waste management model to other areas to add - 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 40.0 Gov. MNRE/ MOI DNP/ DMCR/ DOF value to coastal communities and islands. Phase IV: Environmental impacts reduction from marine plastic debris 4 Reducing environmental impacts from marine plastic debris 97.0 125.0 143.0 116.0 93.0 574.0 4.1 Establish systematic data collection on the estuary, coastal and marine debris. 4.1.1 Promote the development of estuary waste trapping technology. - 3.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 33.0 PPP MHESI/ MTEC TISTR/ TIPMSE/ Private sector 4.1.2 Develop and harmonize system to monitor the plastic leakage and - 10.0 10.0 5.0 5.0 30.0 IA MHESI/ PCD GISTDA marine ecosystem contamination by types of plastic. 4.1.3 Build public-private-people cooperation to collect marine debris 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 25.0 PPP DMCR DNP/ LGO/ Private sector regularly. 4.2 Survey and monitor the condition and restoration of affected ecosystems. 4.2.1 Survey, monitor and assess the impacts of marine plastic debris on 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 100.0 Gov./ IA DMCR MHESI/ TISTR/ NRCT/ DNP/ the coastal and marine ecosystems by season. PCD 4.2.2 Support R&D of knowledge and innovation in restoring ecosystems 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 100.0 Gov./ IA DMCR/ DNP MHESI/ TISTR/ NRCT affected by marine plastic debris. 4.2.3 Address the impacts of marine plastic debris on the ecosystems. 40.0 60.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 220.0 Gov./ IA DMCR MHESI/ TISTR/ NRCT/ DNP/ PCD 4.3 Develop database and cooperation among ASEAN member countries. 4.3.1 Evaluate the amount and types of marine plastic debris and 10.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 30.0 Gov./ IA DMCR PCD/ DNP/ DOF/ MD develop a national database > synchronize data from measure 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 into the national database. 64 Budget (THB millions) Total budget Sources Responsible agencies No. Programs /Projects 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 (THB millions) of Budget Main Support 4.3.2 Encourage the linkages of database system and the marine plastic - - 2.0 2.0 2.0 6.0 Gov./ IA DMCR MHESI/ PCD debris monitoring and evaluation system of the ASEAN countries. 4.3.3 Establish regional monitoring system of marine plastic debris. - - 2.0 2.0 2.0 6.0 Gov./ IA DMCR MHESI/ PCD 4.3.4 Explore the establishment of regional center for marine plastic - - 2.0 2.0 2.0 6.0 Gov./ IA MNRE/ DMCR PCD debris monitoring and management. 4.3.5 Encourage for material flow analysis of plastic waste at ASEAN level. - - 5.0 3.0 - 8.0 Gov./ IA PCD DMCR/ MHESI 4.3.6 Promote cooperation in applying the Circular Economy in 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 10.0 Gov./ IA DMCR PCD/ NXPO addressing comprehensive waste management and exchanging information and experiences on marine plastic debris management among ASEAN member countries and partner organizations/countries. Grand Total 462.0 606.0 742.0 627.0 572.0 3,009.0 Note: Gov. = Government, IA = International Agency, PPP = Public Private Partnership, M&E indicators to be determined later DIP Department of industrial Promotion MOI Ministry of Interior DIW Department of Industrial Works MTEC National Metal and Materials Technology Center DLA Department of Local Administration NRCT National Research Council of Thailand DMCR Department of Marine and Coastal Resources NSTDA National Science and Technology Development Agency DNP Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation NXPO Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council DOF Department of Fisheries OIE Office of Industrial Economics DOT Department of Tourism OPM Office of the Prime Minister FDA Food and Drug Administration PAT Port Authority of Thailand FPO The Fiscal Policy Office PCD Pollution Control Department FTI The Federation of Thai Industries PITH Plastics Institute of Thailand GISTDA Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency PONRE Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment. (Public Organization) PPP Plastics Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastic and Waste Management IEAT Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand PRD Government Public Relations Department LGO Local government organization RD The Revenue Department MD Marine Department REO Regional Environmental Office MHESI Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation TAT The Tourism Authority of Thailand M-Industry Ministry of Industry TCD The Customs Department MNRE Minister of Natural resources and Environment TEI Thailand Environment Institute MOC Ministry of Commerce TIPMSE Thailand Institute of Packaging and Recycling Management for Sustainable Environment MOE Ministry of Education TISI Thai Industrial Standards Institute 65 MOF Ministry of Finance TISTR Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research 66 In term of required resources, this background document to Thailand’s Draft Action Plan also suggests the tentative sources of budget for further consideration. In principle, this recommended action plan proposes a budget for the operation and will focus on promoting the private sector to invest in infrastructure as a sponsor for the budget limit for each work plan/project, estimated from the annual budget ceiling of the responsible agency previously. Thus, as uncreated a long-term financial burden, there are certain budgets that an organization can consider from its regular budget or operating budget. However, the responsible agency should consider the integrated budget between the departments and if it exceeds the budget framework, consider submitting the central budget through the Bureau of the Budget. Therefore, the main sources of financing of this proposed draft Action Plan could be classified as the National Government budget and the potential extra-budgetary funding sources in term of the public-private partnership, bilateral cooperation, and the support from the multilateral agencies. 4.7 M&E mechanism M&E should be carried out according to the following guidance: • M&E will involve annual monitoring of the achievement of Action Plan targets. This aims to update the implementation progress and use outcomes of the assessment to revise work plans and projects so that they would be more appropriate to the current situation and can contribute better to meeting the overall objectives and targets of the subsequent Action Plan. Furthermore, an evaluation will be conducted at the completion of the Action Plan (five years) to identify success, problems, and obstacles in implementing the work plans and projects and to provide inputs for development of the next phase of the action plan. • Mechanisms for M&E should be established by the Working Group for Monitoring and Assessment of the Plastic Waste Management under the Sub-committee on Management of Plastic and Electronic Waste. The working group’s secretarial team should be composed of the PCD and DMCR. The working group’s duties are to gather data for indicators on the implementation of the subsequent Action Plan and to organize public consultations with relevant parties and civil societies on outcomes of the implementation . • Information system for M&E should be established by the PCD, DMCR, DOF, MD, and related agencies to gather inputs for indicators used in the monitoring and assessment of the subsequent Action Plan. 67 68 WAY FORWARD This section proposes the implementation of the proposed Action Plan which requires approval mechanisms including responsible agencies, coordination and cooperation between agencies and across sectors, and recommendations for further studies for effective implementation. 5.1 Implementation process 1) Approval mechanisms The background document to the Action Plan is to be presented to the National Environment Board for approval through the Sub-committee on Management of Plastic and Electronic Waste in which the PCD is the secretariat. The informed Action Plan is to be integrated into the Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management Phase II to achieve targets set by the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management 2018–2030. The background document to the Action Plan is also to be submitted to the National Committee on Marine and Coastal Resources Management Policy and Planning through the DMCR as the secretariat. Once this proposed draft Action Plan is acknowledged, the National Committee is obligated to ensure its recommendations are adopted and report on its implementation. The proposed Action Plan will then be finalized and submitted to the Cabinet for final approval and used by relevant agencies. 2) Recommended Implementing Agencies (1) Main responsible agency (Government sector) • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment PCD, DMCR, DNP, DEQP • Ministry of Finance FPO, RD, TCD • Office of the Prime Minister BOI • Ministry of Industry DIW, IEAT, OIE TISI • Ministry of Interior DLA, DDPM, LGO • Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives DOF • Ministry of Transport MD, PAT • Ministry of Tourism and Sport • Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research NXPO, MTEC and Innovation • Ministry of Education • Office of the Prime Minister PRD (2) Supporting responsible agency • Government agencies are the PRD, DOT, TAT, FDA, MOC, MTEC, FTI, TIPMSE, etc. They are responsible for the relevant program/activity which is in line with their duty and functions • Provincial and Local agencies, including Provincial Offices of Natural Resources and Environment, Provincial Fisheries Offices, and Provincial Industry Offices are the principal bodies in mobilizing and coordinating plastic wastes management through various provincial committees including Provincial Waste Management Committees, Provincial Marine and Coastal Resources Committees, and Provincial Fisheries Committees. Local government organizations also play an important role in the implementation of the informed Action Plan at the local level. 69 • The private sector, including plastic product manufacturers and retailers as well as operators and service providers who use plastic products, plays an important role in the implementation of the subsequently informed Action Plan at every stage of plastic waste management by building awareness on the problems and impacts of plastic wastes and actively taking actions to address the marine plastic waste problem in collaboration with various targeted groups. • NGOs and civil societies, including the National Fisheries Association of Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries, Thailand Environment Institute, Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD), PPP Plastics, and Thai Plastic Industries Association, play an important role in the implementation of the subsequently informed Action Plan at the local level, particularly in building knowledge and awareness on the need to address the marine plastic waste problem in collaboration with various targeted groups. • Consumers/the public have an important role in the implementation of the subsequently informed Action Plan including in enhancing the effectiveness of waste management at the sources and in building common awareness among plastic users on the importance of the problem and impacts and on public responsibility to address the problem. 5.2 Recommendations There are seven recommendations for better further implementation of marine plastic waste management. Figure 21. Recommendations for better implementation Promote a Public-Private- Sea-based People mechanism on waste source analysis segregation Adjustment Ecosystem in relevant policy, of Circular Economy laws and of the whole regulations value chain Requirement Research and of tax system of innovation on the waste plastic waste management management Formulation of a Framework of Actions on Gender 1) Adjustment in relevant policy, laws and regulations The revision of relevant policy, laws, and regulations can be divided into two parts. First, for the land- based waste management, an integration of overall waste management-related laws is needed, including establishing a waste management organization as a key player to drive all stages of land-based waste management: collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal towards the effective, technical base, and systematic implementation. There should also be a review of related laws/regulations to cover the enforcement of new measures under the proposed Action Plan such as setting standards for certain types of plastic products, implementing EPR, collecting fees, establishing codes of conduct for operators in the coastal zones and islands, and fostering conditions conducive to private investment. Second, for the sea-based waste management, there should be a review of related laws/regulations to determine how to integrate roles and responsibilities of the agencies that have direct authorization on the 70 management of coastal areas and the sea with those having authority to manage land-based waste, to ensure systematic and effective sea-based waste management. 2) Promote a Public-Private-People mechanism on waste segregation Public-private-people collaboration should be promoted to encourage the development of proper infrastructure for waste segregation and collection of targeted plastic products into the recycling system. A private organization should be established (for example, producer responsibility organization) with support from the producers of the targeted plastics. This is aligned with the EPR and/or circular economy principles. This organization can coordinate between targeted plastic producers, the junk shop operators or other entities such as community enterprise or local administrative organizations, and the plastic recycling operators. It could also be a central platform for deposit and refund and manage related fees. There should be a study and design on incentive and benefit-sharing mechanisms to enhance proper segregation, collection, and transportation practices that are appropriate for the Thailand context. 3) Requirement of tax system of the waste management There should be a study on implementing tax measures for plastic waste management, especially in the tourism sector. The key issues to be looked at include the success and failure factors from the case studies in other countries to determine the appropriate level of taxes that would bring behavioral changes among the consumers and tourists. The tax measures should be compared with other options such as incentives to give some benefits to the consumers who use alternative plastic products or penalty through increasing tax for single-use plastic products and so on. Photo: Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) 4) Ecosystem of circular economy of the whole value chain Drive the circular economy to achieve reduction of resource utilization by one-fourth from the current level, by circulating resources to maximize the benefits. However, the enabling environment for driving the circular economy should include development of technology and innovation as key components to enable change as well as development of production and product design, setting of proportion of recycled plastic used in plastic products to expand the market, expansion of EPR, and establishment of a system for reclaiming products into the recycling system. Also, a database system and collection center should be built, and new operators should be promoted. There is also a need to establish a clear role for each relevant stakeholder to 71 ensure systematic implementation. Lastly, there should be analysis of the existing gaps and prioritizing of the measures, and the lessons learned on the role of women in plastic waste management in various fields should be considered to expand their role further. 5) Formulation of a Framework of Actions on Gender Inclusion of all genders and ages should be promoted in implementing the upcoming Action Plan, especially the role of women in reducing use of targeted plastics in households as well as in determining regulations for waste segregation and collection within the community and into the recycling system. It is important to work on communication and access of information for women in the communities and build capacity and ability to access funding support. In addition, there should be a study on impacts from marine plastic debris on women and other groups in the future, considering livelihoods and occupations, to design mitigation measures for such impacts. These will lead to the formulation of policies and measures to support further solutions. 6) Sea-based source analysis The amount of sea-based wastes and their sources should be studied with standardized, reliable, and systematic methods. The data can be used as a baseline for future monitoring and evaluation through linking with national and regional information. The analysis should also consider the underlying causes of sea-based wastes to be able to design the measures that could tackle the real cause which would need continuing funding support as well as technical support from well-known experts with long experience in this field. 7) Research and innovation on plastic waste management The material flow should be analyzed to ensure accuracy of information and support future policy formulation and implementation. In addition, there should be a study on environmentally friendly substitutes, especially for single-use plastics. Other studies include analysis of impacts and management of microplastics from different sources, research related to circular economy including the circular economy platform and the lessons learned from circular economy models, development of technology and innovation for using secondary resources, research that can lead to revision of regulations, and knowledge generation and increased understanding on circular economy. 72 73