A Thai delegation, including representatives from the government, led by the Pollution Control Department, and private and academic sectors, joined the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Study Tour to Europe, from 3-9 November 2024. The visit was aimed at supporting the ongoing development of Thailand’s draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), in which EPR principles are integrated. At the same time, it was also in support of Thailand’s framework within the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty. The study tour gained significant positive outcomes.

Participants gained valuable knowledge and first-hand experience from various trips to the EU Commission, environment ministries, packaging manufacturing facilities, packaging sorting and recycling facilities, Producer Responsible Organisations, and international organisations in Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, where they explored legislation in European countries and the innovative practices in Circular Economy and packaging management. The tour fostered collaboration among public and private sector actors, enhancing understanding of effective EPR systems and paving the way for future partnerships to improve Thailand’s waste management strategies and sustainability efforts.

The most interesting outcomes of the visit were the discussions and next steps agreed upon among the Thai delegation. The government agencies addressed developing more details about single-use plastics in the draft act, and integrating upstream, midstream and downstream government agencies to discuss the current waste management system, which is currently not fully aligned with the EPR scheme. Another important aspect of the discussions was how EPR, as a useful tool to finance a waste management system, could be integrated into the overall financial system. The delegates from the financial sector commented that they needed to provide clarity on tax-related issues for each entity under the structure of Thailand’s upcoming EPR framework and consider tax measures to support and drive Thailand’s EPR policy, with the next steps focusing on building internal knowledge within the agencies.

Along with the private sector, delegates expressed that they would work closely with the PCD and Local Administrative Organisations (LAOs); they also plan to launch various education and communication campaigns with relevant stakeholders. Some delegates were representatives from voluntary EPR initiatives, who noted that their initiatives were being tested, and the insights gained from the study tour would be adapted and applied to these models and some ongoing and upcoming projects, including feasibility studies of material recovery facilities (MRFs) in Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC). It is clear that Thailand will need to set up and implement EPR schemes based on country’s context. Scaling up the initiatives with close collaboration with partners on different projects and continuing their collaboration with GIZ, the Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand and the Danish Environmental Protection Agencies will be the next steps.

The academic sector fully supported public, private and civil society sectors (regarding the technical parts) as well as disseminating knowledge and promoting dialogue among stakeholders on many Circular Economy and EPR-related topics.

As part of the study trip in Germany, GIZ hosted an EPR at the International Academy at Campus Kottenforst in Bonn, bringing together Thai, Danish and German stakeholders. At the meeting, we highlighted what the Thai delegation addressed as a priority to achieve EPR in Thailand and the recommendations from German and Danish colleagues. We would like to thank all speakers and organisations involved for sharing their knowledge, for the open discussions and the joint learning experience.

Additionally, the Thai delegation received a warm welcome and had the opportunity to have dinner with the ambassadors in Copenhagen, Denmark and Brussels, Belgium.

The EPR study tour was co-organised by GIZ Thailand under the MA-RE-DESIGN project funded by BMUV, the Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand and the Danish Environmental Protection Agencies (DEPA).