Urban product analysis and management of Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Material flow analysis was used to analyse major product groups (paper, glass, and plastics) in the Bangkok Metropolis system in terms of the flows of relevant resources, materials, and waste. The results showed that the consumption process was the major source of paper, glass, and plastic waste in Bangkok. The total paper waste after consumption accounted for 651,986 tons, or 79% of the total paper used (825,067 tons), in the metropolis. However, only 32.4% of the total paper waste was sorted for recycling. About 25.4% of the glass waste after consumption was recycled and 6.7% was reused in Bangkok. Most (89.3%) of the total plastic products (1,342,322 tons) consumed in Bangkok was turned into plastic waste and only 22.2% of the total plastic waste (1,200,911 tons) from both consumption and production was sorted for recycling. Suggestions to minimise the waste generated in certain processes of these product systems are discussed.