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Urban Waste Composition Associated with Online Food Delivery in Bangkok, Thailand, with Emphasis on Plastic Waste Management
Summary
A survey of 385 food delivery customers in Bangkok found that 76.6% increased their online food ordering, driving higher proportions of single-use plastic waste in municipal solid waste streams, with non-essential plastic items like cutlery and films rarely opted out of. The study highlights how the rapid growth of platform-based food delivery is a significant and underappreciated driver of urban plastic pollution, requiring targeted policy interventions including extended producer responsibility.
The rapid growth of online food delivery in urban areas reflects changing consumer lifestyles, but it has also contributed to increasing plastic waste and challenges in waste management. This study investigated the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) related to online food delivery, consumer ordering behavior, and single-use plastic (SUP) generation in households in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Data were collected from 385 food delivery customers via online questionnaires. The results show that the proportion of plastic waste in MSW has increased, with 76.6% of participants reporting higher online food delivery usage. SUPs from food delivery, including non-essential items such as plastic films, spoons, and cutlery, were prevalent, and participants rarely selected green options to opt out of receiving them. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, including closed-loop management involving producers, platforms, consumers, and government. Policy recommendations include implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) for environmentally friendly packaging, providing incentives for merchants and consumers to reduce SUP, applying the polluter-pays principle (PPP) to users, and designing government policies to regulate SUP and improve plastic waste management.