Background and Development Challenges 

The Innovative Solution for Waste Bank Development in Surat Thani Project has the objective of managing the waste at its sources to reduce the amount of solid waste both recycled and organic at the destinations i.e., landfills and the environment. The conceptual design framework of the project is based on the integrated approach, which integrates environmental science, community engagement, behavioral change, digital technology, and economic incentives to harvest a positive impact on different dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the proposed integrated waste management approach, the waste management station also serves as the learning center and prototype of the SDG Station, which has the potential to be replicated in other areas.

Inefficient waste management not only leads to environmental problems at the local and national levels but also is a factor in global issues, especially climate change, which is increasingly serious since waste contributes to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly. 

Solid waste is a challenging issue for the terrestrial and marine ecosystems. We are witnessing plastic waste drifting along the coastline, deaths of sea animals, and a mountain of community waste at the disposal site on land which eventually leaks into the environment.  It is expected that plastic will continue to play a significant role in our daily lives. Meanwhile, organic waste remains a challenge for cities to manage and find more landfill spaces. Organic waste accounts for approximately 60% of total municipality solid waste. 

The global community is now calling for urgent cooperation and actions to limit the increase in average global temperature to 1.5 Degrees Celsius. Thus, management of waste at its sources to reduce the amount of solid waste at the destinations i.e., landfills and the environment is challenging and important. 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has partnered with Cargill (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the Government Saving Bank (GSB), and Surat Thani Rajabhat University to jointly establish the Innovative Solutions for Waste Bank Development Project on the campus area. The project aims to develop innovative and sustainable solutions concepts to manage waste and reduce waste leakage into the environment and to promote the implementation of SDGs, focusing on sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), responsible consumption and production (SDG12), climate action (SDG13), and use of the ocean and marine resources (SDG14), with the hope that the project implementation will have spilled over impacts on other goals.