It is estimated that about 13 million tonnes of waste are generated in Thailand each year. Recycling is currently carried out by individuals and the informal sector in Thailand.
Larger businesses sell recyclable materials directly to junk shops and brokers.
There are no significant attempts at this time to recycle the organic fraction of the waste through composting or digestion. Waste in rural areas is made up mostly of food scraps, with some other materials. Food waste is fed to animals, and the remainder of the organic waste is composted, or dried for use as fuel. There is no organized disposal option for rural waste, and littering has been reported as a problem in rural areas for this reason. Waste management planning has reached a critical point in many areas of Thailand.