Stakeholder Engagement Forum on the Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in E-waste in Thailand

The Stakeholders Engagement Forum on the Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in E-Waste was held on December 23-24, 2024, in
Bangkok, Thailand, co-organised by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, with support from the Pollution Control Department (PCD), Thailand.

This forum was part of a broader regional capacity-building initiative on POPs management in e-waste, with Thailand and Malaysia as pilot countries.
The event aimed to assess Thailand’s current e-waste management landscape, identify gaps, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and explore technical and financial solutions in line with international obligations under the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. 

Discussions highlighted progress in hazardous waste regulation, but critical gaps remain in addressing new POPs, enforcement, technical capacity, and financial sustainability. The draft WEEE Act was acknowledged as an important step, yet its finalisation and effective implementation remain pending.Technical challenges, including limited POPs testing and treatment facilities, reliance on the informal sector, and lack of stakeholder awareness, were identified as key concerns.  Strengthening collaboration among recyclers, regulators, and consumers was seen as essential to promote safe e-waste practices. 

As part of the forum, a study tour was conducted at a leading e-waste recycling and refining facility. Participants were given an overview of the company's operations, which include metal extraction, refining, and the processing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The facility specialises in copper smelting, metal recovery, and hazardous waste management.

During the visit, experts explained the recycling process, challenges in hazardous waste segregation, and best practices in handling e-waste. The importance of regulatory enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and better financial models to support formal recycling was reinforced through real-world demonstrations. Participants also observed cutting-edge technologies used in copper refining and extraction of valuable metals such as gold, silver, and palladium. 

Discussions emphasised the importance of aligning informal and formal waste collection practices and the potential of circular economy approaches to maximise resource recovery while minimising environmental impact.

IGES played a key role in facilitating discussions, providing policy insights, and aligning Thailand’s strategies with international best practices. The forum emphasised the importance of enhancing regulatory frameworks, strengthening technical capacities, fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, and developing sustainable financial mechanisms for environmentally sound management (ESM) of POPs in e-waste.