Phuket to bar non-compliant garbage trucks from landfill

Phuket authorities will prohibit non-compliant garbage trucks from accessing the Saphan Hin landfill starting March 25, 2026. The new regulation targets waste haulers failing to meet updated safety and environmental standards, aiming to improve waste management practices across the island.

Enforcement of New Waste Transport Standards in Phuket

The Phuket Provincial Administration announced that only trucks meeting revised requirements—such as sealed containers and leak-proof designs—will be permitted to enter the Saphan Hin facility, located 3.5 km southeast of Phuket Town. Operators must present compliance certificates issued by the Department of Land Transport. Officials stated that inspections will be conducted at the landfill entrance, with non-compliant vehicles turned away immediately.

Impact on Local Waste Collection and Hauling Operations

Approximately 120 garbage trucks currently service Phuket’s municipal and private waste contracts. The new rules are expected to affect at least 40 vehicles that have not yet upgraded their equipment. Waste management companies have until March 24, 2026, to retrofit their fleets or risk losing access to the landfill, which processes over 700 tonnes of refuse daily. The policy follows several incidents of spillage and illegal dumping reported in the past year.

Authorities will monitor compliance rates and may expand inspections to other transfer stations if necessary.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-bar-non-compliant-garbage-trucks-from-landfill-99692.php