Aiming to become a 'Sustainable Tourism Destination' by 2026, Phuket, an enchanting island paradise known for its white-sand beaches and vibrant nightlife in southern Thailand, is currently confronted by a crisis in waste management due to post-pandemic tourist numbers and rapid town development.

Every day, around 1,100 tons of waste collected from towns across Phuket are sent to the sole landfill located on the island's Eastern coast near the Sapan Hin area. Of this, 700 tons are incinerated, the maximum capacity of the landfill's only incinerator, while the rest continues to be steadily dumped.

Adjacent to the landfill is a community of 935 residents, who have been increasingly suffering from the intensifying smell. Among them is Vassana Toyou, a 41-year-old resident whose house sits right across the landfill. She lamented that the view from her house, once of small hills, transformed into mountains of garbage within just 1-2 months.

"There is no life outside the house, (we) just stay at home," said Vassana.

Vassana, who just bore her third child three months ago, explained that all her children have allergies, and they are unable to engage in outdoor activities, even simple tasks like hanging clothes outside to dry.

"When the smell is very strong, you have to wear a mask and turn on the air conditioner and air purifier all the time," Vassana told Reuters. These measures have resulted in Vassana's electricity bill doubling from the usual 3,000 baht ($90) per month to 6,000 baht ($180).

"I want my children to run and play outside; I want them to get some fresh air,” Vassana said.

As Vassana and her community complain about the pervasive garbage smell, authorities are scrambling to find solutions for the steadily increasing waste problem. With the high season arriving in December annually that brings a surge in tourist numbers, the pressure on these relevant agencies to rise to the challenge of waste management is mounting.

According to Suppachoke Laongphet, the Deputy Mayor of Phuket Municipality, the volume of trash during the low season, pre-Covid-19, never reached 1,000 per day. However, that figure has now risen to 1,000 to 1,100 tons per day. There's growing concern that this could escalate to a staggering 1,100 to 1,400 tons per day during the high season, sparking fears that the landfill could be filled within a year.

"The growth of the city (Phuket) has been much more rapid than it should be," Suppachoke told Reuters. He elaborated that the rise in waste is from various sectors, especially household, tourism, and construction, which have increased following the post-pandemic period.

Presently, they are collaborating with private agencies and other government agencies, aiming to reduce waste by up to 200,000 tons within a year. The plan involves transforming the waste into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)—a type of fuel produced from various kinds of waste.

The result not only helps decrease the volume of excess waste but also potentially increases available landfill space, according to Suppachoke.

Meanwhile, a second incinerator is being built, due for completion by late 2026 or early 2027, with a daily capacity of 500 tons.

In terms of waste reduction, the Thai government, led by Phuket’s environment and pollution control, also aims to reduce the waste by 15% within 6 months.

Nonetheless, despite the efforts underway, solid waste management expert believes that more needs to be done.

“If you just keep expanding more waste incinerators, I don't think that would be just the solution,” said Dr. Panate Manomaivibool, a solid waste management expert and assistant professor at Burapha University. “I think they need to focus on waste reduction and separation,” he added.

Recently, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international body that sets standards for sustainable travel and tourism, conducted a five-day assessment trip in Phuket in November.

Their preliminary results serve as a guideline for the city to achieve its goal of 'Sustainable Tourism Destination' status by 2026, becoming the first province in Thailand to do so.

Although the strong collaboration among various sectors was noted as a positive factor by GSTC, several areas of improvement are needed.

“What I learned is at least 70% (of the accommodation in Phuket) are not registered,” said Mihee Kang, the destination assessor & trainer for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the GSTC's Asia Pacific Director.

She urged the government to take immediate action on non-registered accommodation as it could lead to unregulated waste management or even the safety of tourists.

Simultaneously, a non-government organization (NGO) known as the 'Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation', which facilitated the visit of the GSTC, has launched an initiative to help decrease organic waste by 500 kilograms per day.

This initiative, based in Phuket Old Town, not only aims to set a precedent in waste reduction efforts but also to reduce the greenhouse gases produced by organic waste, which comprises 60% of the waste going to the landfill.

With the waste management crisis looming over Phuket, it is evident that a collective approach is necessary.

The foundation pins its hopes on its partners taking serious action.

“We can’t work alone,” said the President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, who added that all stakeholders have to take the island's 2026 goals seriously for them to become a reality.

(Production: Napat Wesshasartar)