Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: An Enabler for Zero Waste City

Abstract

Waste has become a critical problem in cities around the world. Each year, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste, with at least 33 percent of that not managed in an environmentally safe manner. The currently consumption-driven lifestyle also produces a huge volume of waste each day threatening the world sustainability. Moreover, the ongoing depletion of natural finite resources is also leading the globe to an uncertain future. The purpose of this article is to study the zero-waste concept and the characteristics of zero waste city, to study the principles of sufficiency economy philosophy, and to review the role of sufficiency economy in waste reduction and how it contributes to zero waste city. Documentary study and literature review were used for data collection. The result showed that ineffective waste management including landfill and incineration can be one major cause of waste. Also, overconsumption can be another cause that exacerbates the current waste situation. A zero-waste strategy and the concept of zero waste city can contribute to waste prevention with its proactive-reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R)-principle and to the reduction of wastes sent to landfills and incinerators. Sufficiency Economy Philosophy can also contribute to waste reduction at the consumer side. With the zero-waste strategy and sufficiency economy philosophy, we can achieve waste and pollution reduction and preserve our environment, as well as create sustainability for the future generations.