Household hazardous waste characterization and quantification at source in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is facing a management crisis of both urban and rural household hazardous waste (HHW). The collection and disposal of these wastes threaten both the environment and human health. The objective of the study was to investigate the characterization and quantification of household hazardous waste at source by all local administrations in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. The quantity of HHW in the household waste stream constitutes 2.53% of total household wastes (about 2.90 t/day). Most HHWs were generated in the local administration level (3.2%) followed by the subdistrict (2.9%) and municipality level (1.2%). The characterization of HHWs included paint products (20.1%), household batteries (17.4%), and unused medicines (14.1%). HHW characterization can be grouped as automobile products from municipalities (38.5%), paint and its containers from the subdistricts (43.08%), and pesticides from the more rural local administrations (24.73%). Albeit the amount of HHW waste found in the household waste stream is relatively small compared to the overall waste stream, it can still cause significant damage to human health and environment. This is because the elements and compounds that comprise hazard wastes are toxic at very low levels. Programs are needed to increase appropriate management of HHW to mitigate human health and environmental contamination risks. Reducing and separating HHW at source can minimize these problems during both normal and pandemic situations.Implications: The study of household hazardous waste (HHW) characterization and quantification is very importance for HHW management, especially study at source. In this study we found the smallest province in Thailand can produce HHW volume nearly three tons per day. The trend in consumption of household products may be increase. The government should therefore be more focused on HHW at source management in both normal and pandemic situations.