Evaluating the key success factors for low-carbon waste management of local administrative organizations: RDF production and semi-aerobic landfill in Thailand

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent in Thailand. The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization has established a domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction mechanism to encourage and support all sectors in the country, particularly the waste sector, to reduce their GHG emissions. However, the development of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production and semi-aerobic landfill technology remains a barrier to expanding local GHG reduction projects. This study aims to determine the key success factors for local administrative organizations’ low-carbon waste management. The authors highlight the following primary concepts that must be addressed: the data collection method, knowledge and understanding of the systems, and an execution agreement for the initial phase of the project. In addition, the presented financial analysis demonstrates that the size of an economy of scale affects a project's feasibility and that government subsidies are potential strategies to reduce or remove barriers to implementing local GHG reduction technology.