Recycling
The Problem:
In Phuket, only 70% of the waste arriving at the waste management plant can be incinerated. The remaining 30% is sent to landfills that are rapidly filling up. Rubbish from landfills contaminates ground water and pollutes the soil. In addition, wind and rain carry plastics from landfills to waterways and back to the ocean, repeating the cycle and the danger to our marine ecosystem.
To keep our oceans clean and our marine creatures healthy, Sustainable Maikhao Foundation works to ensure that only non-recyclables from beach cleanups go to the incinerator and landfill, while recyclables are managed as the valuable resources they are. In general, we all need to be mindful of what we buy and the packaging it comes in, reducing our consumption and reusing or recycling everything we can.
How We Encourage Recycling
We maintain a Recycling & Learning Center where we host eco educational workshops and involve the community in recycling and up-cycling projects. We provide information about where to take recyclables and what will be done with them so that people are reassured recycling is taking place.
Commonly recycled items accepted by all Phuket recycling yards:
- Hard plastic – containers, bottles, toys, cutlery, cups
- Plastic bottles (PET) – drinking water and beverages
- Glass bottles – jars, containers, bottles
- Cardboard – paper, thin cardboard and cardboard boxes
- Metal – aluminum cans, steel cans, steel, metal bottle caps
PLEASE CONTACT your local municipality office to dispose of aerosol cans, batteries, chemicals, paint, flammable liquids, lighters and lightbulbs as these are HAZARDOUS to the environment.
Commonly recycled items accepted by all Phuket recycling yards:
- Hard plastic – containers, bottles, toys, cutlery, cups
- Plastic bottles (PET) – drinking water and beverages
- Glass bottles – jars, containers, bottles
- Cardboard – paper, thin cardboard and cardboard boxes
- Metal – aluminum cans, steel cans, steel, metal bottle caps
PLEASE CONTACT your local municipality office to dispose of aerosol cans, batteries, chemicals, paint, flammable liquids, lighters and lightbulbs as these are HAZARDOUS to the environment.
Specialized Recycling and Upcycling Projects
The demand for managing waste that was previously dumped in landfills is growing so we are seeing more startups aiming to turn rubbish into useful products.
We work with a few small organizations who use ocean bound materials such as rubber flip flops, LDPE plastic bags, plastic bottle caps, fishing rope, buoys, straws and other materials to make household and lifestyle products as well as art.
Goals and Impact
We aim to encourage recycling of waste in Maikhao, from the beach, households and businesses. Sustainable Maikhao Foundation works to educate the community and make sorting easy for everyone.
Since we began, Sustainable Maikhao Foundation has recycled 8 tons of rubbish from beach cleanups (data as of 30 September 2024). Our goal is to get 50% of the population in the Maikhao District to sort and recycle their waste by 2030.
Our Recycling Projects
RECYCLING
How Your Donations Will Be Used
If you would like to donate to this project, please contact us for more details.