A shopper heads home with plastic bags. Patipat Janthong
Plastic manufacturers under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) are concerned about the increase of oxo-degradable plastics, which falsely claim to be environmentally friendly.
Oxo-degradable plastics are designed to break down into small fragments, but this causes microplastic pollution that harms ecosystems, including oceans.
Usage of plastic is increasing as a result of measures to curb Covid-19 infections, including travel restrictions and work-from-home guidelines. This has caused more people to order food, beverages and products online, resulting in more plastic packaging waste.
Even worse, some plastic makers who mix oxo-degradable additives in their products have alleged their plastics can decompose in a natural and environmentally friendly way, said Apiphop Phungchaikul, vice-chairman of FTI s Plastic Industry Club.
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has expressed concerns about a 35% reduction in its fiscal 2022 budget allocated by the government, saying it would hinder several core projects to promote digital adoption and transformation in the country.
The Thai Industrial Standards Institute TISI notified the World Trade Organization WTO on May 11, 2021, concerning four draft food contact regulations, including drinking water and plastic food containers.
2m substandard gloves seized in Pathum Thani
6
published : 9 Jan 2021 at 12:30
6 Police and officials from the Food and Drug Administration and concerned agencies raid an illegal medical glove factory in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani on Friday evening. (Police photo via Wassayos Ngamkham)
PATHUM THANI: Authorities have seized more than 2 million substandard medical gloves and other items worth about 150 million baht during a raid on an illegal factory in Lam Luk Ka district.
They raided the factory in tambon Buen Kham Phroi on Friday evening following information that the factory had illegally produced substandard medical gloves, Pol Maj Gen Somboon Thiankhao, commander of the 191 Patrol and Special Operation Division, also known as 191 Police, said on Saturday.