Thailand has announced a complete ban on the import of plastic waste, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, as part of efforts to protect the environment and public health. The decision was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Trade on Tuesday.

The measure, initially proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, received Cabinet approval on December 3 and was officially published in the Royal Gazette on December 16, according to Arada Fuangtong, the director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade.

The ban includes an update to item 39.15 of Thailand’s Tariff Schedule, which previously allowed the import of plastic waste, parings, and scraps under specific conditions, such as shortages, subject to approval by the Department of Industrial Works. With the amendment, all such imports will be prohibited starting January 1, 2025.

Importers have been notified that they must finalize all pending shipments of the affected materials by December 31, 2024, said Arada.

The prohibition aligns with a Cabinet resolution issued in February 2023, which directed government agencies to establish regulations for managing imported plastic waste and to promote the recycling of locally produced plastics. These efforts fall under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, which emphasizes sustainable and efficient resource use.

This ban will encourage the recycling of domestic plastic waste, improving resource efficiency and reducing pollution, Arada stated. It’s a significant step toward minimizing environmental and public health risks caused by plastic waste.