Page 52 - Plastics News October 2018

intErnAtionAL nEwS

Jamaica to ditch single use bags, Thailand struggling to manage

plastic straws and Styrofoam in plastic waste, plans to ban
2019 imports

amaica is introducing a ban on single use plastic bags, oncerned over rising pollution, and limited
Jplastic straws and Styrofoam in a bid to reduce the Crecycling capacity, Thailand announced its plans to
impact plastic is having on the environment. Daryl Vaz, ban the import of plastic waste from wealthy Western
the minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic nations by 2021.
Growth and Job Creation, said the ban will take effect
from 1 January 2019 and will be part of an international With China banning 24 kinds of waste early this year, a
large number of Southeast Asian countries are facing a
massive influx of foreign scrap. “The amount coming
in has increased since China banned plastic,” Banjong
Sukreeta, deputy director of Thailand's department of
industrial works told Financial Times. “We will ban it
within two years.” Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand have
been witnessing heavy dumping of waste, particularly
from the US, EU, and Japan. Both Vietnam and Malaysia
concerned over the poor quality of imported waste,
and limited recycling facilities, have already imposed
massive restrictions. Following China's ban, Thailand
emerged as a critical destination for many developed
nations to recycle their waste. A recent estimate

effort to reduce pollution. The ban extends to the import, claimed the UK alone sent a whopping 6,810 tons of
manufacture and distribution of plastic bags smaller than waste to recyclers in Thailand from January to April
24x24 inches (60x60cm), including black “scandal bags”,
common in Jamaica and apparently named because
the colour prevents others from seeing the scandalous
contents within. "Consumers are being encouraged to use
reusable carrier bags, particularly by local enterprises,"
Mr Vaz said. But the ban will not apply to those single-
use plastic bags “utilised to maintain public health or
food safety standards” such as those used to package
raw meats, flour, rice, sugar and baked goods such as
bread. Polyethylene, known as Styrofoam, will also be
prohibited but local manufacturers and importers will be
able to apply to the National Environment and Planning
Agency (NEPA) for limited exemptions until January 2021. 2018. During the same period last year, it shipped only
Although the ban on plastic drinking straws will take effect 123 tons of garbage. Thailand is struggling to manage
early next year, the deadline to remove straws attached its domestic waste that has grown exponentially over
to juice boxes and drink pouches will also be extended the years. “We don't have an efficient collection system
until January 2021. The medical sector will also be able for domestic waste,” Rintawat Sombutsiri, director
to apply for exemptions from the ban because drinking of Thailand's industrial waste management in the
straws made from alternative materials such as paper or department of industrial works.
bamboo are not always suitable for patients.

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