Viability of recycling application for Bangkok, Thailand

Poor management of municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the most challenging issues need to be addressed by most developing countries including Thailand. Low levels of recycling rates, lack of facilities and low levels of source separation are challenges commonly faced which directly impacts the quantity and quality of the recyclables collected. To improve the current practices and achieve sustainable solid waste management (SWM), a mobile application was proposed to overcome barriers preventing the public from recycling. Viability of the application is tested in this thesis. With the use of questionnaires and interviews, this research investigated the practicality and viability of using a mobile application to increase the recycling rates in Bangkok, Thailand. Evaluating the different factors such as social, technical, economical, financial or institutional, the findings suggest that mobile applications seem as a suitable solution to increase recycling rates. As household users are familiar and have high access to the proposed technology. Having this on-demand service available, brings convenience, sense of control and management structure to unorganized system used presently. However, as the itinerant recycle buyers (IRB), the main connection between households and recycling shops, have low level of mobile application usage, the viability for this interaction decreases in the immediate future. Identification of stakeholders in the supply chain was conducted. Key findings report that potential household users are satisfied with existing system conducted by the informal waste collectors. Leading the research to recommend other areas that should be targeted before digitalisation, such as providing education about proper waste separation and improving recycling schemes within organizations and offices. As this can create a knock-over effect which may help the public to recycle within their households more. Solving an issue should be made at the source of the problem, in order to be sustainable.