City Report and Action Plan of Khon Kaen

Mr. Thotsaphon Wong-Asa
Chief, Subdivision of Natural Resources,
Natural Resources Section,
Office of Public Works,
Khon Kaen Municipality,
Thailand

CONTENTS

1. City Report

1.1. Current Issues on Environment

The price of diesel fuel has risen more than 100 percent in the past 3 years. Khon Kaen Municipal (KKM) Office uses diesel fuel for many machines, on average about 1,200 liters per day, costing an equivalent of 840 US dollars per day. We have therefore been trying to find alternative energy to diesel fuel and biodiesel has begun to be used for alternative energy.

KKM is interested in used vegetable oil and animal-based oil to produce biodiesel as new energy to fuel the machinery of Khon Kaen Municipality. According to the data on used oil provided by respondents who are home-based oil users, it was found that the municipality could collect as much as 251,822 liters of used oil per year, or 839 liters per day. Commercial action has been taken into consideration. The impact on the environment and health of Khon Kaen residents also needs to be considered.

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2. Action Plan

2.1. Problems

Diesel fuel contaminates air and water, and its price is increasing. By using diesel fuel, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dust are emitted in the air. As for water pollution, it is very difficult to remove used diesel oil from water. We believe that we have found a method to solve these problems. It also has an advantage of saving fuel budget set for the running of machinery. The key to the solution is biodiesel.

2.2. Goal

Separate used oil from waste water and by the end of the year, recycle 200 liters of used oil daily.

2.3. Objectives

• Reduce 200 liters of used oil from waste water per day.
• To achieve expected outcome, the following steps will be taken.
• Build a recycle plant (Khon Kaen University)
• Increase efficiency of waste water treatment
• Reduce air pollution
• Save budget
• Reduce cancer disease

2.4. Target Population

People in the city, especially leaders, students and restaurant industries will be targeted.

2.5. Resources and Constraints

Funding to initiate the program is on the shoulders of the City government and the university.

2.6. Implementing Agency

City Natural Resource and Environment Management Office

2.7. Key Implementation Strategies

• Coordinate functions with relevant government offices and Khon Kaen University
• Set up sub-stations for collection through the leader communities
• Orient citizens, students and restaurant industries to the concept of keeping used oil
• Create a program that is simple to understand and easy to enforce

2.8. Action Plans

1. Present the concept of the program to the City Mayor for his approval - July 2006.
2. Coordinate with Khon Kaen University, City Health Office, government offices - July 2006.
3. Meet with leader communities and invite collaboration - August 2006.
4. Promote program for residents, students and restaurant industries - September 2006.
5. Collect used oil at sub-stations (community office or leaders' houses) - October 2006.
6. Transfer used oil to the center station (KKM) and send all used oil to recycle plant (KKM) - November 2006.
7. Use biodiesel from used oil in machinery of KKM - December 2006.
8. Promote success of program - January 2007.

2.9. Monitoring System

Monthly review and quarterly meetings.

2.10. Timeline for the Action Plan

Biodiesel Machine