The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has partnered with Danish technology firm cBrain to apply artificial intelligence in verifying waste separation images submitted through the BKK WASTE PAY application. This collaboration is part of Bangkok’s “Separate Waste to Reduce Fees” initiative, which encourages residents to sort their waste properly to lower collection costs.
The agreement was discussed at a meeting on July 24, 2025, chaired by Pornprom Viggitset, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok and Executive on Sustainability. Under the program, residents upload images of their separated waste through the app, categorized as organic, recyclable, general, or hazardous. The AI system will assess the accuracy of these submissions, improving verification speed and consistency.
BMA stated that the AI will also connect user location data with waste collection routes, and link GPS data from garbage trucks to allow residents to track collection activities in real time. These features aim to enhance the city’s waste management efficiency and transparency.
The partnership follows a BMA delegation visit to Copenhagen in June 2025, where Bangkok officials studied digital governance, circular economy practices, and sustainable city models. During that visit, BMA engaged with cBrain, which had previously worked with Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on pilot databases for producer registration and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems.
This new collaboration reflects Bangkok’s ongoing efforts to integrate digital tools into urban sustainability strategies, aiming to improve waste management through data-driven and community-engaged approaches.
(Source: ScandAsia)
