Material flows analysis of plastic in Thailand

Abstract

A study of the plastics materials flow analysis in Thailand was aim to show the flow of plastic materials through production, consumption, and waste management based on the year 2013 and projection to the year 2020. This paper finds the plastic waste generation increasing steadily in line with population growth and increasing consumption. In addition, the simulation under waste management three scenarios includes the following: the business as usual, increasing recycled rate set on the National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016-2021) and increasing in rate of energy recovery by the Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015-2036. The plastic material flow analysis has shown that the implementation of the National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016-2021) or the Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015-2036 can reduce uncollected waste and improper waste disposal. Moreover, there is benefit by adding value from recycled materials and energy recovery.