Industrial Waste Management of Frozen Seafood Processing Plant in Ranong Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to (1) identify sources, quantities and physical characteristics of industrial wastes, (2) determine collection and transfer methods for industrial wastes, (3) identify industrial waste treatment and disposal methods, (4) determine industrial waste management costs, and (5) suggest appropriate industrial waste management methods, at a frozen seafood processing plant in Ranong province.

The study was conducted on industrial wastes at a frozen seafood processing plant purposively selected in Ranong. The study tools consisted of the 1st survey form for recording sources and quantities of industrial wastes, the 2nd survey form for recording collecting and transfer methods of industrial wastes, the 3rd survey form for recording industrial waste treatment and disposal methods, and the 4th survey form for recording industrial waste management costs and tools for recording total quantities and physical characteristics of the wastes. The researcher analyzed the data by applying descriptive statistics including percentage and arithmetic mean.

The results showed that: (1) There were 17 types of industrial wastes from all processing units, amounting to 81.06 kilograms per day with a density of 0.12 kilogram per liter, on average. Regarding physical compositions, 47.84% of the wastes were food scraps, followed by plastic, glass, rubber, paper, metals and miscellaneous items, respectively. (2) The factory had a waste separation system at source, but its containers had no labels. There were two main waste collection points, i.e. one room for recyclable wastes and an area behind the factory for other items. Most of the wastes were sold at the factory to buyers, who transported the waste out of the factory without any permit to do so legally according to the law. (3) The industrial waste treatment and disposal methods of the factory were selling, returning to suppliers, landfilling in the factory compound, disposing by the municipality, and re-utilizing by vendors and the community, whereas non-reusable waste items were dumped with other general wastes. (4) The factory earned 67,678 baht per month from the sales of wastes and spent 2,000 baht per month for waste disposal, on average. (5) The industrial waste management methods and procedures varied according to the types of industrial wastes.