We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Enhanced Landfill Mining in Thailand: Policy Implications from Qualitative Case Study Analysis
Summary
A qualitative case study analysis of enhanced landfill mining (ELFM) projects in Thailand assessed policy implications for recovering materials and energy from the country's 7.1 million tons of non-sanitarily managed municipal solid waste. The study identified regulatory barriers, economic incentives, and governance gaps that need to be addressed to scale up ELFM in Thailand.
Limited landfill capacity and increasing waste production present obstacles for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand, where 7.1 million tons of MSW were non-sanitarily managed in 2022. This provides an opportunity for the nation to recover valuable materials and energy from landfill waste through excavation by implementing the enhanced landfill mining technique, which is consistent with business sustainability goals. This study evaluates regulatory, financial, and institutional challenges to enhanced landfill mining implementation, identifying key barriers such as Thailand’s restriction on using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, despite its higher calorific value (18–24 MJ/kg compared to 13.7–16.6 MJ/kg for fresh MSW-derived RDF). Case studies, particularly from European nations, are comparatively evaluated using a combination of qualitative analysis methods. The results of this study highlight that the potential of enhanced landfill mining in Thailand is restricted by the prohibition of the use of RDF in WtE projects, as well as a lack of financial incentives to follow existing regulations. This demonstrates that the implementation of enhanced landfill mining could be facilitated by changing Thai regulations to permit the use of RDF in WtE projects and providing financial incentives such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs. Implementing such reforms can help Thailand achieve its sustainability objectives while reducing the amount of waste in landfills and generating energy.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Bibliometric Analysis of Landfill Mining: worldwide research evolution
Researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis of global research on landfill mining (LFM) and enhanced landfill mining (ELFM), mapping the chronological and geographic distribution of publications and describing the conceptual evolution of the field. The analysis identifies dominant research themes, productive countries, and emerging directions in recovering materials and energy from excavated municipal solid waste.
Source Apportionment of Microplastics in Environment from Sanitary Landfill: A Case Study of Muangpak Municipality Landfill, Thailand
Researchers traced the sources of microplastic contamination in and around a municipal landfill in Thailand, finding that landfill decomposition is a significant contributor of microplastics to the surrounding environment. The study suggests that better waste management practices at landfills could help reduce microplastic pollution in nearby soil and water systems.
The effects on Thailand of China’s import restrictions on waste: measures and challenges related to the international recycling of waste plastic and e-waste
Researchers documented how Thailand — already possessing import permit systems — was overwhelmed by a surge in plastic waste and e-waste smuggling following China's 2017 import ban, ultimately imposing its own import prohibition, reflecting broader enforcement challenges across Southeast Asia.
The geopolitical economy of Thailand's marine plastic pollution crisis
Researchers examined the geopolitical and economic factors driving Thailand's status as one of the world's largest contributors to ocean plastic pollution, finding that governance failures, economic development pressures, and global plastic supply chains are key structural drivers that environmental management has not adequately addressed.
Municipal solid waste management challenges in developing regions: A comprehensive review and future perspectives for Asia and Africa
Researchers reviewed a decade of municipal solid waste challenges in developing countries across Asia and Africa, finding that inadequate infrastructure, cultural barriers, and poor policy enforcement are driving waste crises. The study recommends source-level sorting, improved landfill practices, and stronger community involvement rather than focusing solely on recycling.