Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet visited key waste disposal sites at the landfill yesterday (Nov 18) to monitor progress and ensure the community remains unaffected by the operations.
Deputy Mayor Suphot inspected waste management at Pits 4 and 5, following the closure of Pit 3 last Thursday (Nov 15). The closure aims to prevent odour issues impacting neighbourhoods near the landfill site.
During his visit, he also engaged with residents of the Saphan Hin Village community, explaining the municipality’s waste management strategies. Residents reportedly expressed understanding and support for the efforts.
The municipality, in collaboration with local administrative organisations, is focusing on improving waste handling processes to address the current 400-500 tonnes of daily excess waste sent to incineration or landfills.
This figure is expected to rise significantly as tourist numbers increase during the high season.
Deputy Mayor Suphot has previously noted that waste from local government bodies and businesses across Phuket is already pouring in at roughly 1,400 tonnes a day.
However, the island’s single incinerator can only burn 700 tonnes per day, resulting in an overflow of around 400-500 tonnes sent to landfills – beyond their current capacity.
The rise in waste is attributed to Phuket’s growing tourism sector and the expansion of local businesses and households.
Deputy Mayor Suphot has urged residents and visitors to reduce waste at the source, especially by separating organic waste, to alleviate pressure on the incinerator and landfills.