Public confusion and registration system glitches beset the launch of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s “No Mixed Waste” programme that took effect yesterday.
While the programme, which aims to cut back city waste through new collection fees, is noble, the blunder suggests the BMA is not doing enough.
Under the programme, city dwellers or those producing less than 20 litres of garbage a day, are required to follow waste collection guidelines, registering through the “BKK Waste Pay” app.
They must prove that they are sorting garbage as required in exchange for a monthly collection fee discount: 20 baht or two-thirds less from the new 60-baht fee. BMA has also introduced a tiered fee structure for restaurants and shopping malls.
City residents who do not participate, however, will have to pay the full fee. They cannot reapply for the lower rate after six months.
Every six months, each household has to prove they are still sorting waste as recommended to remain eligible for the programme.
Apparently, the programme has met a lukewarm response from city residents. Some 230,000 households registered with the system as of Sept 4, which is a disappointing figure given the city’s population.
There were reports that at least one district in Thon Buri experienced an online registration system crash on Sept 30, just one day before the programme launch.
Phasi Charoen district office said it required two days to fix the system, which astounded residents. After all, it’s not their fault that they couldn’t register for the scheme in time.
The BMA FB page put up a poster reminding people of the programme on Sept 30 but netizens asking questions were left unanswered.
More importantly, some city residents still have no clue what to do after they separate the waste into four types recommended (food waste, recyclable waste, e-waste, and general waste).
They cannot distinguish among various types of recyclable waste, or types of waste which are hard to recycle, known as “orphan waste”. Some are unsure if they have to acquire colour-coded bins.
Needless to say, the BMA needs to improve its PR campaign for such a programme to be a success.
The programme is indeed noble given the objective of reducing waste in a city that creates an enormous amount of it, more than 12.7 tonnes per day as of 2023. It just requires improvement in terms of the practical measures.
The BMA and its district offices need to include communities more, with regard to waste collection spots for each type of waste.
It should consider providing incentives for community groups or members who pitch in with waste collection efforts.
With regard to e-waste, it’s apparent few residents are aware of its impact on health and the environment, if it is not properly treated. Although the BMA has said it would designate collection spots for this type of waste, they are not to be found anywhere so far. Some department stores and education outlets have provided special bins for this type of waste in the past but on a tiny scale.
Waste management is more than trash collecting: it is about good management and collaboration. The BMA, rather than doing it alone, has to seek partners to help it in this uphill task.