NEWS

MA-RE-DESIGN organises workshop on Producer Responsibility Organisation Structure Development and EPR Fee Guidelines in Thailand

17 Dec 2024

Writer: Chanoksuda Pongsawang
Photographer: Titawan Gasornsombat

On 17-18 December 2024, GIZ, through the Marine Litter Prevention through reduction, sustainable design, and recycling of plastic packaging (MA-RE-DESIGN) project, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department (PCD), organised a stakeholder consultation workshop on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok, to address the pressing issue of sustainable packaging management in Thailand on Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) Structure Development and EPR Fee Guidelines.

The workshop was attended by over 50 stakeholders from government agencies, NGOs, the private sector and academic institutions, fostering ongoing dialogue and cooperation and forming the foundation for a robust EPR framework tailored to Thailand’s unique context. Discussions also highlighted challenges such as the need for public awareness campaigns and clear business guidelines, underlining the importance of collective efforts to address these issues.

Participants gained valuable insights from international case studies that showcased effective EPR systems, offering innovative approaches for implementation in Thailand. Breakout sessions provided a platform for stakeholders to share constructive feedback on EPR fee structures and methodologies as well as the PRO structure. These discussions emphasised the need for equitable, incentive-driven fee systems that encourage sustainable long-term practices while ensuring fair business compliance.

This workshop concluded with awareness of the importance of promoting sustainable packaging policy practices. Stakeholders expressed enthusiasm for the EPR framework’s potential to reduce plastic waste and protect marine biodiversity. With this momentum, the insights and recommendations gathered will guide the next steps in refining the PRO structure and promoting development of the draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act led by the Pollution Control Department.

The MA-RE-DESIGN project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV), is being implemented through a collaborative partnership between GIZ, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the United Nations Environment Programme – Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (UNEP-COBSEA) with the collaboration of the Pollution Control Department as a project partner and relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academic institutes and non-profit organisations.