Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and JLL Thailand collaborate on citywide waste management initiative

BANGKOK, 23 March 2026 — JLL Thailand has joined the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) citywide waste management initiative as an official private-sector partner, contributing its operational expertise as the largest international property management platform in Thailand. The collaboration reflects JLL’s experience managing complex commercial environments at scale, particularly office buildings, while extending waste management standards across both commercial and residential assets in Bangkok.

The partnership forms part of BMA’s broader effort to strengthen waste sorting, recycling, and waste reduction outcomes across the city through closer collaboration with major private-sector operators. By integrating BMA’s policy framework with JLL’s building-level management systems, the initiative aims to improve waste performance in high-density commercial environments, where daily waste volumes, tenant diversity, and operational complexity present structural challenges.

JLL’s participation focuses primarily on its commercial portfolio, including office buildings under management, where standardised processes, tenant engagement, and performance monitoring can deliver measurable waste reductions at scale. Residential properties under JLL management are included as part of the wider rollout, supporting consistent waste management practices across asset classes.

Since late 2025, JLL has been working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to introduce BMA-aligned waste management practices across selected commercial and residential properties under its management, with early implementation focused primarily on office assets where operational systems and tenant engagement can be deployed at scale. The initiative forms part of a phased rollout designed to progressively extend consistent waste management standards across JLL’s managed portfolio in Bangkok.

Early implementation across participating buildings has focused on improving waste separation at source through clearer sorting systems, operational guidelines, and tenant engagement programmes. These measures are supported by enhanced recycling workflows and closer coordination with waste collection partners across commercial operations. Initial observations indicate that structured tenant participation and standardised waste protocols play a critical role in improving waste outcomes within high-density office environments.

The initiative aligns with Bangkok’s broader waste management priorities. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration collected an average of approximately 9,560 tons of solid waste per day, with more than half consisting of food waste. Contamination of food waste with other materials remains a major operational challenge, as it reduces the value of recyclable materials and complicates downstream processing.

To address these challenges, BMA has expanded its citywide waste separation programme across all 50 districts and elevated its waste management approach from voluntary participation to incentive-based mechanisms under the Polluter Pays Principle. A revised waste fee ordinance that came into effect on 28 September 2025 introduces differentiated waste management fees based on the volume of waste generated. Under the new structure, households generating no more than 20 litres of waste per day are subject to a standard monthly fee of 60 THB, which can be reduced to 20 THB if they register to participate in waste separation. Larger waste generators are charged according to waste volume under a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) approach, reinforcing the principle that those who generate more waste bear a greater share of the cost.

High-rise buildings, particularly commercial offices and mixed-use developments, have been identified as a key operational challenge due to high daily waste volumes and inconsistent separation practices. In response, BMA has initiated pilot programmes in districts such as Khlong Toei and Vadhana to develop operational waste management models tailored to high-density buildings, which are expected to inform wider implementation across the city.

“As Thailand’s largest international property management platform, our responsibility is to translate sustainability objectives into operational standards that work in real buildings, particularly in complex commercial environments,” said Krit Pimhataivoot, Country Head & Head of Capital Markets, JLL Thailand. “Office buildings generate significant daily waste volumes, and improving outcomes requires systems that are consistent, measurable, and scalable. By joining BMA’s initiative, we are aligning our commercial operations with the city’s environmental priorities and setting a clear direction for full commercial portfolio participation by 2026.”

Chakrapan Pawangkarat, Head of Property Management, JLL Thailand, added that property managers play a central role in enabling citywide waste improvement. “Commercial buildings sit at the intersection of policy intent and operational reality. Through standardised processes, data tracking, and tenant engagement, property managers can deliver tangible waste reductions while maintaining operational efficiency. Our focus is on solutions that can be replicated across diverse office assets and sustained over time.”

“Effective waste management cannot be achieved by public policy alone,” said Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Advisor to Governor of Bangkok and Chief Sustainability Officer, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. “Commercial buildings, particularly offices, contribute significantly to daily waste volumes in Bangkok. Collaboration with property managers such as JLL allows the city to improve waste outcomes where operational scale and consistency matter most, supporting Bangkok’s broader environmental objectives.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is also working to strengthen long-term waste management efficiency through greater private-sector participation. The city is currently revising regulations governing waste collection, transportation, and disposal services to establish updated licensing criteria for private operators, ensuring consistent standards while enabling businesses to contribute more actively to Bangkok’s waste management system.”

The initiative aligns with JLL’s wider ESG strategy, which emphasises environmental performance, operational accountability, and continuous improvement across managed assets. By applying scalable waste management standards across commercial properties and extending best practices to residential communities, JLL aims to contribute to measurable, citywide impact and encourage broader industry participation.

More information on the BMA waste management initiative, including participation guidelines, is available at:

https://greener.bangkok.go.th/waste-recycle/