Technical Workshop on ‘WEEE Matters: Spot it, Sort it, Manage it Right’, A Capacity Building Workshop on Practical WEEE Management and Risk Reduction

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) organised the technical workshop "WEEE Matters: Spot it, Sort it, Manage it right" during May 13-14 2025 in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The event was arranged in collaboration with the Secretariat of Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (AECEN), National Metal and Materials Technology (MTEC), and with support of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

This workshop was aimed at:

1. Strengthening technical knowledge and capacity for monitoring, compliance, and environmentally sound management (ESM) of POPs in electronic waste;
2. Enhance understanding of international standards and experiences; and
3. Explore the application of these standards within Thailand’s regulatory and operational framework.

Approximately 100 participants attended, representing 37 Office of Environment and Pollution Control (OEPC), 28 Office of Natural Resources and Environment (ONRE), 10 Local authorities, and other concerned agencies and organisations.

Day 1: Opening and Technical Training (May 13 2025)

The workshop began with welcoming remarks from Ms. Kullacha Tanakwang, Director of the Environment and Pollution Control Office 11, followed by opening remarks from Ms. Chochoe Devaporihartakula, Programme Manager at IGES, and Ms. Phanit Rattasuk, Director of the Waste and Hazardous Substances Management Division, PCD. The speakers emphasised the urgent need for sound Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) management to address health and environmental risks, in line with the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. A session on regional experiences followed, where PCD offices reported rising e-waste and informal dismantling activities in provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin, and Buriram, highlighting poor handling practices, limited technical knowledge, and significant health risks driven by informal economic factors.

The management of e-waste particularly the detection and control of POPs and other hazardous substances, presents a complex challenge at the local level. WEEE contains not only harmful substances, but also valuable materials, many of which are indistinguishable to the untrained eye. For example, copper in e-waste may appear identical, but its purity and grade (such as beryllium copper) significantly influence both value and toxicity.

While upstream stakeholders such as designers and manufacturers are equipped with technical knowledge to manage these risks, local authorities (especially those engaging directly with informal collectors and communities) often lack practical tools and guidance. Traditional training can be overly theoretical and disconnected from real-world implementation needs.

To address these challenges, technical training led by Dr. Nudjarin Ramungkul covered:

• Module 1: Overview of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) components and materials, including identification of hazardous and valuable substances.
• Module 2: Introduction to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), their risks, and relevance under the Stockholm Convention.

To conclude the day, participants worked in groups to assess WEEE items, identify hazardous and valuable components, and propose safe disposal metho

Day 2: Legal Frameworks and International Perspectives (May 14 2025)

Day 2 opened with a brief summary of the first session, followed by:

• Module 3: An overview of relevant international conventions (Basel and Stockholm) and Thai legislation on hazardous substances and WEEE. The pending WEEE Act was identified as a critical gap.
• Module 4: Presentations by Dr. Natsuko Kajiwara (Japan) and Prof. Dr. Agamutu Pariatamby (Malaysia) on international practices and recommendations for POPs and WEEE management.

Key recommendations included:

1. Promoting dialogue between policymakers and recyclers;
2. Enhancing analytical capacity in developing countries;
3. Increasing international investment in WEEE management.

Participants concluded with a group activity identifying key challenges such as limited awareness, regulatory gaps, and coordination barriers.

Day 3: Site Visit to Buriram Province (15 May 2025)

On Day 3, IGES conducted a site visit to Dang Yai and Baan Pao sub-districts in Buriram Province. These communities are major hubs for informal e-waste dismantling, typically conducted at the household level without regulatory oversight. Local authorities have signed MoUs with dismantlers to help mitigate safety and environmental risks.

The visit included meetings with local executives and on-site observations of dismantling practices to better understand current conditions and needs.

Lessons Learned

Key takeaways included:

• Hands-on, scenario-based training addresses a critical capacity gap for local implementers;
• Physical tools and real samples enhance retention and understanding compared to lectures;
• Cross-sector participation strengthens institutional cooperation;
• There is strong potential to scale this training nationwide under Thailand’s POPs risk and circular economy efforts;
• Local actors are ready to lead, if provided with the right tools and support.

Conclusion

This technical workshop marked a key milestone in the project “Assessment of Information and Capacity for the Management of Waste Consisting of, Containing, or Contaminated with POPs, Particularly in E-Waste” (Phase 2), implemented under the Basel Convention Programme of Work (Activity No.14) with support from the BRS Secretariat.

“WEEE Matters: Spot it, Sort it, Manage it Right” demonstrates that local capacity building can be a cornerstone of Thailand’s POPs risk reduction strategy. By translating complex technical content into tools and skills for local application, the workshop empowered participants to protect health, the environment, and advance circular economy goals. Its success showcases a scalable model for decentralising compliance with the Stockholm and Basel Conventions by placing informed, capable people at the center of safer e-waste management.