Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: Solid Waste Management Program in Phisanulok province of Thailand was initiated as a pilot programme for municipalities to manage their own waste in an efficient, systematic and above all, sustainable manner. This can be achieved through the strengthening of capabilities of city administrations.

Background in summary:

     Programme Objective: The Solid Waste Management Program aims at enabling the Municipality of Phitsanulok to operate an efficient and orderly solid waste management system. This is to be achieved through strengthening the capabilities of the city administration in the operation of local waste management. Collaboration with neighboring administrative districts, central government institutions and NGOs, along with appropriate supporting framework are the key factors to determine the success of the programme execution.

     Project Implementation: The project started in February 1999. The initial period of the project was spent in obtaining and updating necessary information, such as, disposal behavior and existing regulations involved in waste management. Based on these acquired information, a management strategy will be jointly elaborated by the municipality and the community members.

     Expected Results:

1. A concept for an integrated solid waste management for the municipality is elaborated and approved
   
   
2. Improved planning and management instruments for communal solid waste management have been introduced to the responsible personnel
   
   
3. Measures to improve collection, transportation, recycling and orderly solid waste disposal are implemented in cooperation with other towns and sanitary districts.
   
   
4. The population is actively involved in measures to avoid dumping, while increase recycling and collecting solid waste
   
   

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	3	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
3	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
3	Socio-cultural adaptability.	-	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	-	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	-	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      The case of Phitsanulok Municipality is rather interesting, especially when considering the trend for waste management these days is shifted towards privatization in order to improve efficiency. (see Malaysia Effectiveness of privatizing solid waste management) Hence, it could be argued that privatization does not always have to be the only solution to waste management efficiency. There are other possible alternatives, such as decentralization of waste management activities to local level governments. Sustainability of the project:   Adaptability of the project to other situations:      Adaptability of the project to municipals of a larger size maybe difficult since it is hard for local governments to manage such a huge amount of waste. Also, getting through to a large number of people is rather difficult since access to every person may be time consuming and cost in-efficient especially when not everyone is expected to cooperate with the programme. Process of decision making and implementation:      Policies and measures: The Solid Waste Management Program for Phitsanulok is a two-end programme. On one end, the government is improving the collection, transportation, and orderly disposal of solid waste. On the other end, the consumer is being asked to avoid dumping waste, increase recycling, and try separating waste. Hence, the process is a management and control at both ends making the process even more efficient. Cost efficiency: