Application of the Eco-Industrial concept to community environmantal management

This study is aimed at studying the feasibility of applying the Eco-Industrial concept to community environmental management and then investigating factors and appropriate means. In-depth interviewing of scholars and authorities and surveying of five sample communities representing the four different regions in Thailand is carried out to search for the feasibility of applying the concept. The results show that it is feasible, especially in rural areas, where dependence on the local resources and the community members in doing activities in the communities in accordance with the ecological context still exists. Factors and conditions involved in applying the concept include analysis of resources, participation of the people, community leaders, formulation of community development plans, good communication, sharing of knowledge, and provision of appropriate support to create network of communities. The appropriate means of applying the concept to community environmental management entails promoting involvement in the part of the local people and sustainability in the cooperation, with appropriate channels of communication and under the guidance of the leaders, who are the community’s central figures with the determination and ability to motivate and navigate the people in the community. Importantly, there must be analysis on the economic, social, environmental, and health benefits resulting from such application.