In the bustling heart of Bangkok, a new wave of eco-consciousness is taking root, led by none other than Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, with his trusty Sustainability Advisor, Mr. Pornprom Vikitsreth. Together, they are ambitiously embarking on a mission to revolutionize waste management through an innovative scheme aptly named “This House Doesn’t Mix: Separate Waste, Reduce Fees.” The duo aims to motivate residents to separate their food scraps, promising a tangible reward—a noticeable reduction in their refuse collection charges.
The Lat Phrao district, specifically the Eua Pracha Estate, serves as the launching pad for this eco-venture. Here, the governor and his team have front-row seats to witness the spirited participation of local residents who are embracing the project. The immense scale is striking, with 12,857 homes harboring 32,900 individuals across 36 vibrant communities, collectively churning out approximately 34,675 kilograms of waste every day—truly a rubbish mountain ripe for transformation.
To streamline the process, the local council has orchestrated a meticulous waste collection regimen, assigning different routes for distinct days. On Mondays and Thursdays, the Chokchai 4 Road area sees the bustling collection action; Tuesdays and Fridays bring it to the busy Nak Niwat Road, Sukhonthasawat Road, and Lat Phrao Wang Hin Road, while Wednesdays and Saturdays keep the momentum alive along Lat Pla Khao Road, Sangkhom Songkhro Road, and Sena Nikhom 1 Road.
Change is afoot with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) poised to introduce new refuse and waste management charges as per the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Ordinance on Fees for Refuse and Waste Management Services under the Public Health Act B.E. 2568 (2025). This fresh approach isn’t just about covering costs—it’s a clarion call to Bangkokians, urging them to become active participants in reducing and sorting their waste right at home.
Under these impending regulations, households that manage to keep their waste production under 20 liters (about 4 kilograms) daily will be rewarded with a mere 20 baht monthly fee, provided they adhere to strict waste separation guidelines. Those less conscientious, however, might find themselves forking out 60 baht each month.
The new ordinance, formalized in the Royal Gazette on March 31st, 2025, is set to shake things up come October 2025. Meanwhile, the BMA is piloting a dedicated food waste collection system through the “This House Doesn’t Mix” initiative, supported by a slick mobile app—BKK Waste Pay. This exploratory phase has rolled out in six eager boroughs: Lat Phrao, Bang Phlat, Bang Kho Laem, Phaya Thai, Thon Buri, and Lat Krabang, commencing its eco-endeavors on April 21st, 2025.
In this trial, food waste collection cruises through each borough twice weekly, navigating three finely plotted routes between 8 am and 4 pm. Special “non-mixed” waste lorries are at the heart of this operation, zealously gathering waste from the registered eco-warriors. Once collected, the waste isn’t simply disposed of; instead, it embarks on a journey to become nutrient-rich fertilizer or nourishing animal feed, benefiting local farmers.
The initiative is data-driven, with council workers meticulously weighing and recording every morsel of food waste collected, maintaining detailed household and daily logs. This bounty of data is then scrutinized by the Environment Department, paving the way for broader implementation across all 50 boroughs.
Early adopters of the scheme proudly display their “This House Doesn’t Mix” sticker, accompanied by a stash of green food waste bags, symbolizing their commitment to the cause. Enthusiastic residents can join the green movement by signing up on the BKK Waste Pay app, now open for early birds on both iOS and Android platforms. The app is not merely a conduit for payments—it’s an environmental hub offering fee summaries, payment histories, digital invoices, and the latest BMA environmental initiatives.
The day’s highlights included a fascinating food waste collection demo, alongside an insightful presentation on the magic of aerated food waste composting bins by experts from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Engineering, in collaboration with the Lat Phrao Council and Eua Pracha Estate reps. The grand finale saw Governor Chadchart himself bestow “This House Doesn’t Mix” stickers and green bags upon registered homes in Chokchai 4 Soi 54 Yaek 2 and Yaek 4, truly bringing the project to life.
Notable attendees gracing today’s event encompassed Mr. Prapas Lueangsirinapha, helming the BMA’s Environment Department, Mr. Nopphon Monmanussitti of Lat Phrao district fame, and Mr. Napak Pengsuk, representing the borough council. Together with esteemed senior figures and officers from both the Environment Department and Lat Phrao Council, they collectively championed the spirited debut of this transformative environmental initiative.
It’s about time Bangkok got serious about waste management. This initiative sounds promising!
I agree! But do you think people will really separate their waste just for a fee reduction?
With the right incentives, people may be more motivated than we think. Plus, it’s good for the environment.
I think the key is education. Many people still don’t understand the benefits of separating waste.
Why make it mandatory? Just let people do what they want with their trash. More rules won’t fix the problem.
True to an extent, but when waste impacts everyone, some regulation is necessary. It’s about collective responsibility.
Plus, isn’t everything more expensive when it’s left unregulated? It’s a public health concern too.
I see your point, but enforcing this will just be another burden for people who are already struggling.
How practical is this in such a densely populated city though? Wouldn’t rural areas benefit more from this kind of scheme?
Cities produce the most waste, so it makes sense to start there. It’s about tackling the largest issue first.
I get that, but urban areas also have the most complex logistics. It’s going to be a huge challenge.
I’m interested to see if this will actually reduce waste or just be a temporary solution with lots of hype.
Skeptical much? At least they’re trying to make a difference. Every bit helps.
The app sounds cool. Anything that helps people be more accountable and involved is a step in the right direction.
I just hope people don’t try to cheat the system. Paying less for doing nothing seems tempting to some.
Why isn’t more being done to recycle at the source? This could be an opportunity for more recycling plants.
Totally agree, it’s not just about sorting—it’s about actually recycling and reusing. We should push for more facilities.
I think it’s great they’re turning waste into fertilizer. That benefits agriculture and reduces landfill use.
Plants and farmers can benefit, but how sustainable is the process itself? Does it cost more than it saves?
Good point, but innovation often comes at a cost initially. Over time, it could save money and resources.
This is such a progressive move by the governor. Innovation like this could make Bangkok one of the greenest cities in Asia.
Households better stick their stickers with pride! It’s a badge of honor for being eco-conscious.
What happens if it all fails? Are there any backup plans, or are they putting all their eggs in one basket?
Even if it doesn’t work perfectly initially, it’s a learning process. Adjustments can be made over time.
Fascinated by the use of data here! Monitoring and logging means they can actually measure success and adjust accordingly.
Reducing fees to motivate people seems like buying their cooperation, not educating them.