Over 100 Informal Waste Workers Gather in First Annual Convention
The initiative aims to better integrate informal waste workers (known as “saleng”) in Thailand into formal waste management/recycling systems, strengthen public–private partnerships, and promote sustainable waste practices across the city. Over 120 Informal Waste Workers Gather in Surat Thani Behind Surat Thani’s cleaner streets are the Saleng workers—informal waste workers who keep the municipality moving, despite limited social protection, recognition, and support. On 9 December 2025, over 120 members from the Saleng Association were brought together for its annual convention organised by WWF-Thailand […]
SEA of Solutions 2025 Bangkok: Plastic Smart Cities Reflections
Plastic Smart Cities and WWF-Thailand joined governments, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and coastal communities from across Southeast and East Asia at the Sea of Solutions 2025, convened by COBSEA (Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia) and UNEP (16 – 18 December 2025, Bangkok). The event brought together key stakeholders to strengthen regional dialogue on addressing marine plastic […]
Songkhla’s Fishermen Reel in Waste
Case Study Thailand: Songkhla CityWWF Involvement: March 2021 to December 2024Focus Area: CollectionPSC Approach: Community-based Waste ManagementSystemic Intervention: Systems and Infrastructure Key Lessons Learned Background Baan Talae Nok and Baan Pang Sai are coastal fishing villages in Songkhla Province, Thailand, where plastic waste mismanagement has contributed to marine pollution and environmental degradation. Until recently, formal […]
Surat Thani’s Pathway to Waste Bank Success
Case Study Thailand: Surat ThaniWWF Involvement: January 2023 to December 2024Focus Area: CollectionPSC Approach: Community-based Waste ManagementSystemic Intervention: Systems and Infrastructure Key Lessons Learned Background Lung Dum waste bank started in the Wat Potawas Temple Community of Surat Thani, Thailand. Founded by the community leader Mr. Lapon Phuekdej, also known as “Lung Dum” or “Uncle […]
Hat Yai’s Mall Take-Back Programme
Case Study Thailand: Hat YaiWWF Involvement: October 2023 to October 2025Focus Area: CollectionPSC Approach: Formal CollectionSystemic Intervention: Policy Advocacy Key Lessons Learned Background In order to move away from mixed collection and enhance plastic recovery from the waste generated at Hat Yai’s Central Mall, the shopping mall adopted a “take-back” programme in October 2023, set […]
Pak Meng School Cashes in on Waste
Case Study Thailand: Trang City, Trang ProvinceWWF Involvement: January 2023 to March 2025Focus Area: Reduction, CollectionPSC Approach: Behavioural Change, Community-based Waste ManagementSystemic Intervention: Knowledge Strengthening, Systems & Infrastructure Key Lessons Learned Background Pak Meng School in Trang, Thailand, piloted a holistic approach to plastic waste management from initiating educational activities for the reduction of plastic […]
Community Generates Funds from Selling Recyclables through a Waste Bank Initiative
The separation of waste at source is supported through the provision of segregation bins to collect recyclable waste, which is sold to recyclers – this intervention generates income for the community from waste sorting. KEY SUCCESSES As of November 2023, the community has sold recyclable waste to the junk shop five times, totalling 1,195 kilograms […]