Evaluating environmental and social impacts of fluorescent lamp recycling processes in Thailand

Abstract

For the past decade, Thailand has had intensively installed Fluorescent Lamp (FL) for lighting purposes. Improper handling or disposal of a spent fluorescent lamp can cause not only environmental damage by releasing mercury and other metals to the environment but also human health impact. Master Plan on Solid Waste Management (2016-2021) of Thailand encouraged industrial waste management to reduce such impacts with less consideration of the social challenges experienced by the formal recyclers that might offset the sustainability of the recycling process.

This research aimed to identify enabling factors to improve the recycling process of SFLs using environmental life cycle assessment (ELCA) with SimaPro 8 and ReCiPe impact analysis, and social impact assessment (SIA) using UNEP/SETAC 2009 Guideline combined with semi-structured interviews with the formal recycling business representatives (n=2). The results showed that electricity consumption in the process contributed adversely to human health (14.96 µPt), ecosystem damage (0.74 µPt), and resource depletion (0.0086 µPt). Contrary, it has positive impacts on decent working conditions. In addition, the formal business struggled with the low material supply. The results displayed limited information on mercury impacts due to data availability and confirmation with other stakeholders. The research suggested that institutional capacity to comply with environmental and occupational safety standards supported with informal-formal partnership and sustainable financing schemes is the enabling factor to improve the recycling process in Thailand