Waste management challenges in a tourism-driven city: scenario-based improvements towards a circular economy in Chiang Mai

Tourism is a major economic driver for Thailand and many countries worldwide; with Chiang Mai ranked as the second most popular destination in the country. Urban metabolism refers to the efficient management of solid waste generated by economic growth and urban expansion. This study aims to analyze the solid waste flow in Chiang Mai’s city center and apply circular economy principles to develop planning and management strategies tailored to three key tourist areas. The findings indicate that the city center produces approximately 340 tonnes of waste per day from six primary sources: households (144 tonnes), hotels (24 tonnes), restaurants (44 tonnes), retail and markets (61 tonnes), educational institutions (23 tonnes), and other sources (44 tonnes). The waste composition includes 44% food waste, 38% recyclable materials, and 18% other waste. Implementing circular economy practices, such as enhancing waste separation at the source, reducing plastic consumption, and prioritizing food waste management, resulted in an 18% increase in resource utilization, from 35% to 53%, and a 20% reduction in waste disposal, from 63% to 43%. These outcomes suggest that adopting circular economy models can significantly improve urban waste management and serve as a blueprint for sustainable waste policies in other cities.