Piles of hazardous waste found at illegal recycling factory

One of the piles of hazardous electronic waste in the compound of the D.K Plastic (Thailand) plastic recycling factory operated illegally by Chinese nationals in tambon Takhian Tia, Chon Buri. (Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

CHON BURI: Large piles of imported hazardous electronic waste have been found at an illegal plastic recycling factory in Bang Lamung district run by Chinese nationals employing illegal workers from Myanmar.

A team from the Department of Industrial Works, police and soldiers on Friday inspected the D.K Plastic (Thailand) factory in tambon Takhian Tia following complaints it was operating illegally and storing hazardous waste posing a health threat to local residents.

They found tonnes of electronic waste piled up inside the 4-rai compound of the factory. Four warehouses also stored waste from old computers and other electronic appliances.

Myanmar workers ran around in panic when the team entered the compound. All 21 migrant workers were later rounded up. Thirteen of them, 7 women and 6 men, had no work permits.

Radio communication devices and many untaxed cigarettes were also seized during the inspection.

Chen Youglin, 39, a Chinese national who admitted being the factory caretaker, was held for interrogation.

Samruay Khemthonglang, head of the Chon Buri industrial works office, said the factory's operators had earlier sought approval to operate a plastic recycling plant on the rented land. It had not passed inspection and had been refused a permit.

The factory had also breached the law in importing hazardous electronic waste for recycling, he added.

Naris Niramaiwong, the chief of Bang Lamung district led the team, said the factory was run by Chinese nationals who had been refused permission to operate a plastic recycling factory. They had also illegally imported prohibited raw materials.

Local residents also complained the factory discharged polluting waste into water sources in the area .

The operators have been charged with illegally operating the factory, sheltering and employing illegal migrants, using the factory for the wrong purpose, having untaxed items in their possession, and running a business that posed a threat to people's health, the district chief said.

Officials inspect the D.K Plastic (Thailand) factory in tambon Takhian Tia of Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district on Friday.(Photo by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)