Public Participation in Hazardous Waste Management in the Community

Abstract

          Effective management of hazardous waste is crucial due to its wide-ranging impact on the environment and public health within communities. Therefore, the communities must have strategies to handle and manage hazardous waste effectively. It is essential to have knowledge and understanding of efficient hazardous waste management, carried out through five steps: 1. addressing waste accumulation issues at the source by reducing and segregating waste from various origins such as households, businesses, schools, and residential communities; 2. formulating policies from the government sector to support organizations or various units for easier management, enabling the creation of master plans, implemented both in policy and practice; 3. establishing a participatory network of community involvement and integration from all sectors; 4. implementing standardized waste disposal and destruction systems; and 5. amending various laws to align with Thailand's new context. Therefore, the successful hazardous waste management requires clear government policies and social sector integration, and networking to collectively promote awareness and understanding. This collaboration between the public and private sectors addresses issues and drives public policy development in managing flexible and New Public Governance-aligned hazardous waste management policies. Simultaneously, it fosters sustainable community habits under the stewardship of a quality society.