Phuket’s Waste Management Reaches Critical Point

Phuket, a popular Thai island, faces a waste crisis with 1,100 tons of daily garbage overwhelming its landfill, causing severe odor issues for residents, while authorities and NGOs push for waste reduction and sustainable solutions.

Phuket, a popular Thai tourist destination, is grappling with a severe waste management crisis exacerbated by the post-pandemic surge in tourism, leading to significant environmental and health challenges for local residents.

• Despite its ambition to become a sustainable tourism destination by 2026, Phuket is facing a waste management crisis.
• The rapid increase in tourism has resulted in approximately 1,100 tons of waste generated daily, overwhelming the island’s waste management systems.
• Only a fraction of the waste is incinerated, with most being dumped at a single landfill, causing significant odor issues for nearby residents.
• Local residents, including families with young children, are severely affected by the unpleasant smell, impacting their quality of life and leading to increased living costs due to air purification needs.
• Authorities are under pressure to find effective solutions to address the escalating waste crisis in Phuket.

Thai resort island Phuket is grappling with a significant garbage crisis following the post-pandemic tourism boom. The island, which has seen a rapid increase in waste due to its thriving tourism sector, now collects more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. This amount is projected to rise to up to 1,400 tonnes per day by the end of the year, overwhelming its sole landfill.

The rapid development of Phuket has pushed trash volumes above pre-pandemic levels, with the island attracting about 13 million foreign arrivals in 2024, compared to about 6 million two decades ago. This has led to severe environmental and health issues, including pollution of the sea and air. For instance, plastic bottles and empty beer cans are found rolling on the sea floor around the island, while garbage piles up on the land.

Local residents, like Ms Vassana Toyou, have been severely affected by the crisis. The landfill’s expansion has replaced the previous serene mountain view from her home, forcing her to stay indoors due to the strong smell. She keeps her air conditioner and air purifiers on all the time to cope with the stench, doubling her electricity bill.

Authorities are implementing measures to address the crisis, such as cutting waste generation by 15% in six months, expanding the landfill, and building a new incinerator. However, experts like Assistant Professor Panate Manomaivibool from Burapha University emphasize that waste reduction and separation are crucial for a sustainable solution, rather than just increasing incineration capacity.

Additionally, Thailand has recently banned imports of plastic waste to curb toxic pollution, which could further impact waste management strategies on the island.