Phuket grapples with growing garbage crisis

*In one corner of the island, trucks and tractors trundle back and forth moving piles of trash around a sprawling landfill, the final destination for much of the more than 1,000 tonnes of waste collected on Phuket every day. “The growth of (Phuket) city has been much more rapid than it should be,” said Suppachoke Laongphet, deputy mayor of the main municipality, explaining how a tourism and construction boom has pushed trash volumes above pre-Covid levels. By the end of this year, the island could be producing up to 1,400 tonnes of trash a day, overwhelming its sole landfill at Saphan Hin, he said. The province has only one incinerator operated by the Phuket municipality which can handle only about 900 tonnes of garbage daily. Only 10% of the trash in Phuket is recycled and 60% is organic waste, the Pollution Control Department says.*

Published: 2026-03-14 16:46 UTC Event date: developing

Phuket is facing a mounting waste management crisis as the island’s only landfill and incinerator struggle to keep up with a surge in garbage, fuelled by rapid urban growth and a rebound in tourism, local officials said this week.

Every day, over 1,000 tonnes of waste are collected across Phuket, with much of it ending up at the sprawling landfill in Saphan Hin. Suppachoke Laongphet, deputy mayor of Phuket’s main municipality, warned that by the end of this year, daily waste could reach as much as 1,400 tonnes—a volume that would overwhelm the island’s existing waste infrastructure.

The island’s sole incinerator, run by the Phuket municipality, has a maximum capacity of 900 tonnes per day. With waste generation already exceeding this limit, excess rubbish is piling up at the landfill, raising concerns about environmental and health impacts for both residents and visitors.

The volume of trash in Phuket has climbed above pre-pandemic levels, driven by a tourism resurgence and ongoing construction projects. “The growth of (Phuket) city has been much more rapid than it should be,” Suppachoke said, underscoring the challenges local authorities face in keeping pace with development.

According to the Pollution Control Department, only about 10% of Phuket’s waste is recycled, while organic waste accounts for around 60% of the total. The limited recycling rate means most rubbish must be incinerated or buried, putting further pressure on the island’s already stretched waste facilities.

For locals, overflowing landfills and inadequate waste processing threaten to impact daily life, with the risk of unpleasant odours, increased pests, and potential contamination of soil and water. Tourists, who are drawn to Phuket’s beaches and natural beauty, may also be affected if trash accumulates in public areas or if environmental degradation is not contained.

Local authorities are urging residents and businesses to step up efforts to sort and reduce waste. Initiatives to boost recycling and composting are being discussed, though no major new facilities have yet been announced.

As Phuket continues to attract visitors and new residents, the challenge of managing its growing waste stream remains urgent. Officials say they are exploring long-term solutions, including expanding incineration capacity and investing in more sustainable waste management practices. In the meantime, both locals and tourists are being encouraged to do their part to help ease the island’s garbage burden.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2941030/phuket-grapples-with-growing-garbage-crisis