Thailand to Phase Out Plastic Waste Imports

Thailand plans to restrict certain plastic waste imports this year ahead of a full ban beginning in 2025, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported March 7. The country will restrict plastic waste imports to “only 14 recycling plants in the country’s free trade zone” this year, with certain limits on import volumes. Next year, those plants will be allowed to import plastic waste at only “half capacity” and will face a complete ban in 2025, the report said. Exceptions may be granted case by case, the report said, and only if importers can prove the plastic is “critical to address production demand” and ensure the plastic can be used as “production raw material without being cleaned.”