The Study of Types and Quantities of Wreath Waste at Royal Thai Air Force Crematorium, Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan, Bang Khen, Bangkok

Abstract

           The objectives of this research were to study types, quantities, and management methods for wreath waste generated from funeral ceremonies in the study area of the Royal Thai Air Force Crematorium, Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan, Bang Khen, Bangkok. This research used quantitative and exploratory methods using data recording survey recorded types and quantities of wreaths found at 25 funeral chapels. Data surveyed for 12 days. The results of this study found that there were 62 - 813 wreaths per day. The average amount of wreaths found per day was 207 wreaths (SD 80). The founded wreaths can be classified into 5 categories including fresh flower wreaths found on average 180 wreaths per day (86.82%), paper wreaths found on average 12 wreaths per day (5.64%), fan wreaths found on average 9 wreaths per day (4.60%), tree wreaths found on average 5 wreaths per day (2.38%) and other types of wreaths such as bicycles, mats, cloth, watches, books and artificial flowers, found on average 1 wreath per day (0.56%). Hence, most wreath waste came from fresh flower wreaths, which has management guidelines by applying environmental management strategies and principles of cleaner technology as guidelines for managing waste of fresh flower wreaths by focusing on source reduction of pollution, reuse, and recycling.
           The in-charge person of the crematorium should announce policy to reject fresh flower wreaths and support reusable products such as kitchenware wreaths, chair wreaths or change raw materials for making wreaths to cloth, mats, mulberry paper, or leftover materials such as plastic bottles and coffee sachets in place of fresh flowers, and improve operations, such as rental services for tree wreaths or artificial flower wreaths. For the waste of fresh flower wreaths, it should be separated into components to reuse or sell materials such as straw frames, oases, and spike wood. Fresh flowers and leaves should be recycled into dried flowers, mulberry paper or composted. Plastic bags and the debris of plastic, wire, paper, rubber band and staple should be taken to a sanitary landfill.