Publications

Arnika and Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), October 2016

Thailand and a National Path: Towards Sustainable Waste Management

The Thai government has announced that it will resolve municipal waste problems as part of its top national agenda by targeting the disposal of over 30 million tonnes of unmanaged waste, and setting up proper ways to dispose both hazardous and municipal solid wastes in 2021.

Basel Action Network (BAN), September 2016

Utilizing high-tech methods to track high-tech wastes, the environmental watchdog, Basel Action Network (BAN) as part of their e-Trash Transparency Project, funded by the Body Shop Foundation, planted GPS trackers into 205 old printers and monitors and then delivered them to charities and recyclers. The new report, entitled Scam Recycling: e-Dumping on Asia by US Recyclers, revealed that of those that were handed over to American electronics recyclers, 40 percent did not get recycled in the US as expected by customers, but were instead exported to highly-polluting and unsafe operations in developing countries -- mostly in Asia.  

United Nations Environment Programme | May 2016

This report provides a global overview on the progress of countries in passing laws and regulations that limit the manufacture, import, export, sale and use of lead paints. It also illustrates a range of legal approaches that attempt to limit the use of lead-containing paint. In so doing, it becomes a valuable reference for countries seeking to establish their own laws and regulations on lead in paint.

A global target has been set for all countries to have lead paint controls by 2020. According to this report, only 36 per cent of countries have legally binding limits on lead paint. This suggests a significant gap still needs to be filled to achieve the target on time.

Presentation by Dr. Jaco Huisman, United Nations University

April 2016

Climate-KIC/UNEP  2016

Presentation by Dr. Jaco Huisman, United Nations University

14 April 2016

World Health Organization, 2015

With the adoption of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in October 2013, clear time-bound targets were set for phasing out the manufacture, export or import of a number of mercury-added products specified in the Convention. For thermometers and sphygmomanometers that are included in a wider category of non-electronic medical devices regulated under Article 4 of the Convention, the phase-out date is 2020, with the possibility of Party-specific exemptions up to 2030. An open-ended exemption is also afforded to products for research, calibration of instrumentation, and for use as a reference standard.

By Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), December 2015

Since 1994, communities started their fighting with the government’s industrial investment projects in the eastern, northern, northeaster regions. This situation has prompted growing conflicts and clashes between communities and the government, meanwhile the polluters have been enjoying their privileges of investment and making profits in the country.

By Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH)

22 November 2015

Chemical accidents in Thailand: a case of Klong Toey chemical explosion, National Strategic Plan on Chemical Management, and the key challenges under the National Strategic Plan on Chemical Management

By Tarkapaw Youth Group, Dawei Development Association (DDA), and the Tenasserim River & Indigenous People Networks (Trip Net), October 2015

This report documents the environmental and social impacts of the Ban Chaung coal mining project in Dawei District of Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region - the serious harm that has already happened to villagers’ health, livelihoods, security, and way of life, and the devastating contamination of local rivers and streams. Although local people are opposed to coal mining, they were never given the chance to voice their concerns; only knew about the project once the bulldozers started digging on their land. Now the villagers have joined hands to challenge irresponsible coal mining in their area, they call for alternative, democratic, and inclusive development in Tanintharyi Region.<