Hazardous waste separation drive to launch in Phuket

PHUKET: A project aimed at separating used electrical equipment from the solid waste stream will kick off with special activities on Saturday, which is National Children’s Day in Thailand.

The force behind the project is the Phuket chapter of the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Thailand (BPW-Phuket).

Chapter president Pornpinit P. Suwan met with Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngpop at Phuket Provincial Hall last Monday to outline the campaign’s goals.

“Thailand is one of many countries experiencing rapid technological change, as experienced in the high volume of discarded cellphones and other kinds of electrical equipment. These are classified as hazardous substances and need to be disposed of in the right way,” she said.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is also concerned about this problem, so the ministry has worked with BPW chapters nationwide to set up this project,” she said.

The project will also celebrate the 82nd birthday of HM The King, she said.

A key aim of the project is to make people aware of the environmental and health impacts of exposure to household hazardous wastes, with a special special emphasis on young people.

The project will also promote co-operation among households in separating hazardous materials from general waste to enhance the capability of local administrative bodies for environmentally-safe collection and disposal.

The organizers will issue a press release with more information soon.

— Sitthipong Nongkaew