A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been high on the environmental policy agenda of many countries due to its rapidly increasing volume and concerns over its toxicity and the critical metals it holds. To date, 59 countries have passed laws for WEEE management (excluding State level...

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Main Authors: Panate Manomaivibool, Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University 2016-02-01
Series:Applied Environmental Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/jer/index.php/aer/article/view/42876
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author Panate Manomaivibool
Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee
author_facet Panate Manomaivibool
Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee
author_sort Panate Manomaivibool
collection DOAJ
description Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been high on the environmental policy agenda of many countries due to its rapidly increasing volume and concerns over its toxicity and the critical metals it holds. To date, 59 countries have passed laws for WEEE management (excluding State level legislation in the USA and Canada). Most of these laws are based on the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) but their treatment of allocation of responsibility and system operation differ considerably. This study reviews the implementation models of EPR which are classified into two broad groups: producer compliance schemes and governmental funds. The advantages and disadvantages of each model are analyzed and a synthesis proposed for Thailand in the form of a step-wise hybrid model, considering local conditions. A new draft law, the Act on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Other End-of-Life Products, differs from earlier drafts solely based on the governmental-fund model. Under the proposed system, producers of designated products would have an opportunity to develop their compliance plans individually or collectively. This would allow them to channel their experiences of working with EPR in other countries to the implementation of Thai WEEE management schemes. The compliance plans have to outline how they intend to support the free take-back obligations stipulated in the draft law. Collection targets can be added to improve system performance in the later years. Unlike a typical producer-led system, the government retains the power to levy product fees into the National Environmental Fund. This ensures the leverage in the case that the producer’s plans fail to function in a developing country context. Revenues would then be earmarked to support investments and campaigns to achieve the objectives of this law.
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spelling doaj.art-2309fb983daf4908a6145d7b90eaefef2024-02-26T10:50:52ZengEnvironmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn UniversityApplied Environmental Research2287-075X2016-02-0138110.35762/AER.2016.38.1.1A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in ThailandPanate Manomaivibool0Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee1Institute for the Study of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiangrai, ThailandEnvironmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been high on the environmental policy agenda of many countries due to its rapidly increasing volume and concerns over its toxicity and the critical metals it holds. To date, 59 countries have passed laws for WEEE management (excluding State level legislation in the USA and Canada). Most of these laws are based on the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) but their treatment of allocation of responsibility and system operation differ considerably. This study reviews the implementation models of EPR which are classified into two broad groups: producer compliance schemes and governmental funds. The advantages and disadvantages of each model are analyzed and a synthesis proposed for Thailand in the form of a step-wise hybrid model, considering local conditions. A new draft law, the Act on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Other End-of-Life Products, differs from earlier drafts solely based on the governmental-fund model. Under the proposed system, producers of designated products would have an opportunity to develop their compliance plans individually or collectively. This would allow them to channel their experiences of working with EPR in other countries to the implementation of Thai WEEE management schemes. The compliance plans have to outline how they intend to support the free take-back obligations stipulated in the draft law. Collection targets can be added to improve system performance in the later years. Unlike a typical producer-led system, the government retains the power to levy product fees into the National Environmental Fund. This ensures the leverage in the case that the producer’s plans fail to function in a developing country context. Revenues would then be earmarked to support investments and campaigns to achieve the objectives of this law. https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/jer/index.php/aer/article/view/42876Advanced recycling feeElectronic wasteExtended producer responsibilityProduct take back
spellingShingle Panate Manomaivibool
Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee
A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
Applied Environmental Research
Advanced recycling fee
Electronic waste
Extended producer responsibility
Product take back
title A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
title_full A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
title_fullStr A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
title_full_unstemmed A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
title_short A Hybrid Law Model for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: A Case of the New Draft Law in Thailand
title_sort hybrid law model for the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment a case of the new draft law in thailand
topic Advanced recycling fee
Electronic waste
Extended producer responsibility
Product take back
url https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/jer/index.php/aer/article/view/42876
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