New tax urged to make producers 'green'

Permanent-secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Saksit Tridech, said the list of 17 eco-friendly office materials had been issued for state offices to procure in 2005, and several offices had already complied.

The policy aimed for state offices to become 25 per cent eco-friendly last year, 50 per cent this year, 75 per cent next year and a 100 per cent in 2011, Saksit said. The offices were also expected to make at least 25 per cent of their items and services eco-friendly in 2008; 30 per cent this year, 40 per cent next year and 50 per cent in 2011, he said. State-run schools and universities were also expected to join the eco-friendly bandwagon soon.

This year, the Pollution Control Department aims to add another 12 items to the list of eco-friendly items including fuel, computer, air-conditioners, trash cans, paper notebooks, furniture, fax machines, engine lubricant, cars, printing service as well as petrol station, Saksit said.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will soon be discussing two issues with the Finance Ministry: regulations with regard to the procurement of green products and green-tax measures.

In terms of green-tax measures, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has already studied and formulated criteria that should push the private sector to give importance to the production and usage of green products. A complete report on previously successful green measures should be submitted to the government in the next month or two.

Deputy chief of the Pollution Control Department, Worasat Apaipong, reported that 151 department-level state offices had started becoming eco-friendly bandwagon since last year, and the items immediately adjusted were toilet paper, correction fluids, batteries and printing paper.

Mahidol University lecturer Jirapol Sindhunava said homes and private business should also become energy efficient, and publicity campaigns should be launched to make people more aware. He also urged that measures be implemented to have manufacturers and distributors provide accurate and clear information to the consumers.