Towards a Greener Future: Thailand’s Zero Waste Practices

Join us as we observe the International Day of Zero Waste in Thailand, calling for action from all stakeholders towards a greener future.

Date/Time: Friday, March 29 || 09:00 - 14:30 hrs Thailand time /GMT +7

Location: Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok

Organizers:  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), UN in Thailand, UNEP, and UN-Habitat

Background 

In December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste, recognizing the critical need for global action on waste reduction and sustainable practices.

Thailand is experiencing a significant increase in waste generation due to factors such as population growth, urbanization, and economic development. In 2021, approximately 24.98 million tons of solid waste was generated, equivalent to about 68,434 tons per day. This means, on average, one person produces about 1.03 kg of waste per day. A significant portion of this waste is plastic, with 2.76 million tons of plastic waste generated every year, accounting for 11% of the total waste, most of which is disposed of through landfills, incinerators, or simply dumped.

Promoting a culture of zero-waste in Thailand is essential to addressing the mounting challenge of waste in the midst of rapid urbanization, economic growth, and lifestyle changes. The escalating volumes of waste, particularly municipal solid waste, underline the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices. Encouraging a zero-waste culture would not only mitigate the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal, such as greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, but also foster a sustainable lifestyle that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes waste generation. By embracing a zero-waste ethos, Thailand can transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, where waste is viewed not as an end-product but as a valuable resource for new materials and energy, aligning with the broader national vision for environmental sustainability and green growth.

Objective

The "Towards a Greener Future: Thailand's Zero Waste Practices" event will convene key stakeholders—government officials, embassies, development agencies, private sector, and youth—to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on zero waste principles. The event will also showcase Thailand's best practices in waste reduction and management, inspiring a nationwide shift towards a zero-waste lifestyle. Additionally, the event aims to inspire and promote the adoption of sustainable practices in celebration of the upcoming Songkran.

A lunch prepared sustainably will be provided. 

Register here