Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: Over time, the unsanitary disposal practices, such as open dumping and burning, have affected the quality of life and environment in the municipality and thereby making people wary of government agencies' waste management. To solve the problem, Rayong Municipality has initiated this project to integrate waste management approach: sorting, anaerobic fermenting, generating electric from bio-gas, and landfill.

     Integrating Stakeholder: In 1999, Rayong Municipality has started Waste Management Project with the participation from other development parties to reduce the amount of generated waste in communities by recycling, reusing, fermenting compost and generating energy.

Background:

National Economic and Social Development Overview:

     During the past four decades, Thailand achieved higher than average growth rates, measured regionally and on a worldwide basis. The real gross national product (GNP) growth averaged 9.8 percent annually from 1986 to 1995.

     On the other hand, the state of environment has revealed a continued natural resources and environment degradation. It has reflected conflict between environmental and economic development policy.

     In order that natural resources and environment can serve as foundation factors contributing to sustainable development and better quality of life, it is vital to incorporate environmental policy into the National Economic and Social Development Plan.

Environmental Dimension in National Plan:

     From the First to the Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plans, the development strategy was suitable for the needs of the time and consistent with the economic and social situation of the country. However, it was increasingly recognized that the success in economic growth has various negative effects on Thai society.

     In the early stage, the national economic and social development concept has largely been based on the acceleration of economic growth utilizing comparative advantages in term of natural resources and low-cost labour to produce goods and services. This brought about over-exploitation and degradation of natural resources and environment and its impact has given cause for serious concern.

     Environmental issues have been initially incorporated since the Fourth Plan. Development objectives addressed natural resources and environmental management but it still lacked of guideline and operational measures. Clearer and workable guideline and procedure to solve environmental degradation and pollution problems were formulated since the Sixth and the Seventh Plan.

     Although the impacts from economic development to the environment have received more attention during the Fifth and the Seventh Plans, solving the problem was believed to be the government's responsibility and little has been mentioned of the people participation.

     According to the Thai Constitution B.E.1997, it was formulated through bottom-up process and has empowered the people to participate more. It was in line with the principle of the Eight Plan, also the result of brainstorming among many parties. This was followed by the "The Act of Determining Plan and Process of Decentralization B.E.1999" which was set up to support the implementation stage of plan. The Act is tangible proof, and has obvious measures of decentralization to municipalities, both mission and budget, for managing problems in their communities, including the environmental issues.

The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006):

     The Ninth Plan adopted a bottom-up participation approach. A large number of interested groups and public sector worked collectively to formulate a workable and implementation plan. The development strategies are to build up "national competitiveness" and to create "a strong and balanced society" based on sustainable development. One of the seven strategies is the natural resource and environmental management which focus on upgrading the efficiency of natural resources and pollution management, preserving and rehabilitating of natural resources as well as community surroundings to enhance quality of life.

     It has been recognized that one of the methods for solving natural resource and environmental problems is the concept of community-based management. Other environmental management strategies also emphasized on implementing the economic instrument, creating network and improving the administration mechanism.

Implementation Case: Waste Management Project:

     Waste problem in Rayong Municipality had risen considerably due to the rapid increase in population, a trend that may continue in the future. The causes of the problem are many points; lack of proper disposal units, limited budget, personnel and landfill areas. This problem has negative impact on the quality of life in the municipality and therefore this is best dealt with collectively.

     Subsequently, in 1999, Rayong Municipality has started this project with the participation from other development parties, such as; Pol Eak Chartchai Chunhawan Foundation, Development of Environment and Energy Foundation, and the National Energy Policy Office.

     Activities Performance:

     The AD-HOC Teams for Environment are given the task of building and strengthening the network to preserve environmental quality in their respective communities. There are many activities initiated to promote and persuade the people to participate in collecting waste, for example: to separate the reusable and recyclable wastes from home and join in Trading Recycled Waste to Eggs Activity and Waste Bank Activity, to collect organic wastes and join in Hydro-Microorganism Fermenting Activity which produce "Odorless Waste". The odorless waste can be used as liquid fertilizer to replace chemical fertilizer, and as deodorizer to get rid of a bad odor from restrooms, drainage ditches or refuse dumps.

     Results:

• Increase participation from the target communities. If successful, it can effectively eliminate 30 percent of waste in the Rayong Municipality.
  
  

     Future Steps:

• To enhance the existing network and reduce waste.
  
  
• To expand environmental network to other areas/communities in Rayong Municipality.
  
  
• To be demonstration center for interested groups, such as government agencies, educational institutions, private sector and other municipalities.
  
  
• To produce energy/electricity from the community waste
  
  

     Factors for Success:

• Policy and Mechanism empowerment
  
  
• Leadership and willingness to solve the problem in own community
  
  
• Initiative and participation in the community
  
  
• Support and cooperation from NGOs and government agencies
  
  

     Implementation Case: Produce Organic Fertilizer and Generate Energy from Waste Project:

     Presently, local governments, which are responsible for community waste management, are faced with the problem of collecting and disposing municipality waste. Over time, the unsanitary disposal practices, such as open dumping and burning, have affected the quality of life and environment in the municipality and thereby making people wary of government agencies' waste management.

     To solve the problem, Rayong Municipality has initiated this project which is integrated waste management approach: sorting, anaerobic fermenting, generating electric from bio-gas, and landfill.

     Objectives:

• To demonstrate the complete cycle of solid waste management that include recycling, fertilizing, and generating energy utilizing resource recovery principle
  
  
• To be pilot project for municipal solid waste disposal center which consist of selecting the recyclable waste, fermenting organic waste to obtain bio-gas producing energy, organic fertilizer and sanitary land-fill
  
  
• To collect waste management information and technology for government agencies, researchers, and general public
  
  
• To disseminate knowledge and experience to other municipalities for solving solid waste problem by suitable technology and public participation
  
  

     Activities Performance:

• Recycle Waste Center Project is administered by private sector and build network with other operators of similar activities.
  
  
• To Produce Organic Fertilizer and Generate Energy from Waste Project is the final process to utilize organic waste.
  
  

     This project is divided into many activities:

• Receiving Organic Waste Building: to receive waste from markets, hotels, restaurants, parks and communities
  
  
• Selecting Waste Building: to select metal and recycle waste by hand, belt and magnet
  
  
• Composing Process by Anaerobic Digestion and generating energy from methane
  
  
• Odor filtration system by bio-filter
  
  
• Whirlpool system to protect waste water problem
  
  
• Improving quality of fertilizer and packaging
  
  

     Future Steps:

• To be demonstration center for interested groups, such as government agencies, educational institute, private sector and municipalities.
  
  

     Factors for Success:

• Policy and Mechanism empowerment
  
  
• Leadership and willingness to solve the problem in own community
  
  
• Initiative and participation from community
  
  
• Support from NGOs and government agencies