Participants in the 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Workshop: EPR Fee Calculation Guideline in Thailand

On 22 July 2025, the Marine Litter Prevention through Reduction, Sustainable Design and Recycling of Plastic Packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN) project, implemented by GIZ Thailand, in partnership with the Pollution Control Department (PCD), held a stakeholder workshop with the Sustainable Environment Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle. Taking place at Hotel Nikko Bangkok, the workshop aimed to discuss sustainable packaging management in Thailand, with a focus on developing EPR fee calculation guideline and calculation tools.

Taweechai Jiaranaikhajorn, Director of the Waste Minimization Sub-division, Waste and Hazardous Substances Management Division, Pollution Control Department, spoke about the framework of collaboration between the PCD and GIZ Thailand, and provided an update about the draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act.

The meeting was honoured by the presence of Taweechai Chiananaikhajorn, Director of the Waste Minimization Sub-division, Waste and Hazardous Substances Management division, Pollution Control Department (PCD), who discussed the collaborative framework between PCD and GIZ Thailand in implementing packaging waste management, especially for plastics. He also mentioned that the department would further consider the proposals for EPR fee determination. Following this, Alvaro Zurita, Project Director of MA-RE-DESIGN, shared the background and goals of the project, emphasising the importance of this study in supporting the PCD’s ongoing efforts. He finished by expressing his appreciation to all participants for attending the meeting.

Alvaro Zurita, MA-RE-DESIGN’s project director, discussed the overall project and emphasised the importance of stakeholder collaboration in implementing EPR in Thailand.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme is a policy approach aimed at encouraging environmental improvements throughout the product life cycle by extending obliged companies’ responsibilities to various stages of the product’s life, especially in take-back, recycling, and end-of-life management.

Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging; Source: Sustainable Environment Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University

The meeting was attended by over 60 participants from government agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations, and academic institutions. They shared views on developing (draft) EPR fee structures at the national level, including a case study on Koh Tao, featuring the (draft) fee calculation tools developed by Ass Prof Dr Panate Manomaivibool, project consultant from Mae Fah Luang University

Dr Panate Manomaivibool, the project consultant, presented the progress of the study on EPR fee guideline development

In addition, breakout groups discussion was organised based on participants’ areas of expertise in different types of packaging materials – namely plastic, glass, paper, and metal. Each group tested the proposed fee calculation model and provided technical and policy-related feedback. At the end of the session, each group summarised and presented their discussion results to the plenary, highlighting a range of proposals and reflecting the distinct characteristics of each packaging material type.

Stakeholders in the packaging management value chain participated in the EPR fee calculation exercise.

The exchange and in-depth discussion on both the principles of EPR fee calculation and the differing values of each packaging material type by stakeholders across the entire system during this meeting highlighted the critical need for accurate and reliable data. This includes data on material usage volumes within the system as well as clear operational targets. The MA-RE-DESIGN project will utilise the insights and recommendations gathered from the meeting to guide the development and refinement of the EPR fee calculation model, ensuring its suitability for the Thai context. These efforts will also support the drafting of the Sustainable Packaging Management Act, which is led by PCD.