Yesterday (27 May 2024) Mr. Aditad Vasinonta, Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM) was honored to open a Closing Seminar of the project “Greening the Scrap Metal Value Chain Through Promotion of BAT/BEP to Reduce U-POPs Releases from Recycling Facilities” at the Eastin Grand Hotel, Phayathai, Bangkok and presented Appreciation plaques to representatives of agencies participating in the project, including:1. Ms. Teeraporn Wiriwutikorn, Specialist in Waste and Hazardous Substances Management, Pollution Control Department2. Miss Rujya Bunyathumanon, Specialist in Research and Development of Environmental Technology, Department of Climate Change and Environment3. Mr. Wiroj Rojwattanachai, President of the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand4. Mr. Katsumasa Tanji, Factory Manager, Daiki Aluminum Industry (Thailand) Co., Ltd.5. Mr. Anuwat Wangwanitchakorn, Director, Millcon Burapha Company Limited.6. Mr. Kittisak Litthakul, Manager, Panyaraksa Company Limited.7. Mr. Sakchai Loyfakhajorn, Executive Vice President-SCSC, Tata Steel Manufacturing (Thailand) Public Company Limited.8. Mr. Sirapas Wattanamanon, Deputy Vice President, Thai Fukoku Panaplus Foundry Company Limited.9. Mr. Suphat Rattanasiriwilai, Managing Director, Thai Metal Aluminum Company Limited. There was an exhibition showing important works such as&nbsp;• Developing a draft policy framework, laws, and benefits. for scrap metal management sustainably in Thailand which has been brainstormed with opinions from relevant sectors&nbsp;• Developing a database of the Thai scrap metal recycling industry chain.&nbsp;• Development of operational manuals for government agencies and operators involved in scrap metal recycling.• Developing training courses to increase the potential of personnel in the metal industry, over 20 courses, with more than 3,000 people having attended the training in the past.&nbsp;• Organizing an annual national academic seminar since 2020 to raise awareness about U-POPs and disseminate knowledge on improving production processes to be environmentally friendly. With more than 200 attendees per event.&nbsp;• Supporting the investment budget to actually use BAT/BEP in factories at a ratio of 6:1, totaling 6 factories, which can reduce the release of U-POPs by 24.0 g WHO-TEQ per year, which exceeds the limit. specified by the project&nbsp;In addition, experts in sustainable scrap metal management technology and the environment from various countries joined discussion on “BAT/BEP in Global Movement” to share their experiences and view points in using BAT/BEP to improve production processes. international cooperation, providing technical assistance and exchanging information on management to reduce persistent pollutants in various countries. They were&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Mr. Simone Zanolini, Area Energia, Ambiente e Sicurezza from CONFINDUSTRIA Brescia, Italy.• Dr. Pasquale Spezzano, BAT/BEP Expert Italy• Dr. Toshiya Shibayanagi, Director of Aluminum Research Center, University of Toyama, Italy• Mr. Wirote Rojwattanachai, Director of the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand.• Mr. Agustin Harte, Programme Management Officer Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm ConventionsUnited Nations Environment Programme SwitzerlandDr. Carmela Centeno, UNIDO Project Manager, was the moderator and closed the event by thanking various agencies, both public and private, for their support in driving the project to success, especially DPIM which is the main host agency in implementing the project and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for financial support.&nbsp; There were more than 200 people attending the seminar, both on-site and online.

The  Green Scrap Metal Thailand Project is grateful to DPIM ,GEF and all project partners for the successful implementation.

More than 5 years of implementation, the project will conduct the Closing Seminar in Bangkok with the project partners to publicize the developed guidelines for environmental, health, and safety measures for sustainable metal scrap management including national integrated policies and measures to protect public health and environment by reduction of U-POPs released from scrap metal recycling activities and disseminate knowledge and experiences on the application of BAT/BEP in the selected demonstrating facilities for replication to improve and develop the scrap metal recycling industry at the national and international levels as well as communicate final project disposition and status to all participants and stakeholders and beneficiaries' comprehensive feedback on the implementation process, results, and outcomes of the project activities Expected Outputs1.	Increasing the awareness on U-POPs and BAT/BEP and improved national capacity in the sound management of the scrap metal recycling industry.2.	Implementing the policy framework on the sound management of scrap metal recycling and be in compliance with the Stockholm Convention requirements and aligned with sustainable development. Language&nbsp;The Seminar will be conducted in Thai with/English language translation.