Hanoi (VNA) – As domestic solid waste has longbeen piling up and become an acute issue in Vietnam for a long time, theMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is developing a projectto improve waste treatment and management in both rural and urban areas.

According to deputy head of the MoNRE’s Vietnam Environment AdministrationHoang Van Thuc, increased mounds of rubbish have posed great challenges to treatmentprocess across all localities.

He explained how the average daily disposal of solidwaste is 0.4kg per person in rural areas. The amount recorded in Red River andMekong Delta regions is 0.5kg due to intensive farming activities. Meanwhile,that in northern mountainous localities is estimated at 0.3kg.

The classification of solid waste before treatment has been carried out in suchlocalities as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Thua Thien-Hue, Ho Chi Minh City,and Can Tho city; however, it has proven inefficient due to a shortage of humanresources and infrastructure. There is currently no treatment model that meetsthe technical, economic, social and environmental standards.

To mention one, many waste treatment facilities have been built in unsuitableplaces.

Under the MoNRE’s project, the ministry will complete legal documents on solidwaste management as well as clarify the responsibilities of the ministries,local authorities, production facilities, and residents.

It will expand financial support, along with preferences in taxes and fees, forrecycling projects and promote public-private cooperation in solid wastetreatment and recycling.

Organisations and households will have to pay higher fees for discharginggarbage to cover waste collection and treatment costs.

Also, it will work out technical support measures to reduce buried waste whileincreasing recycling as well as building model waste treatment plants.

The ministry recommends that the National Assembly instruct localities to setup plans and supervise the implementation of legal regulations on solid wastemanagement, issue the amended Law on Environmental Protection 2014, andallocate capital for litter management and environmental protection activities.

Relevant ministries, agencies, and localities should draw specific plans toeffectively carry out the Prime Minister’s Decision No.491/QD-TTg dated May 7,2018 approving the adjustment of a national strategy on solid waste managementuntil 2025, with vision towards 2050.

The provincial People’s Committees must ensure that garbage collection andtreatment activities take place in communes or residential areas by December2018. They should issue costs for solid waste collection and treatment as wellas announce support from the state budget to ensure a stable trash collectionservice.

They are not allowed to approve investments in landfills and waste incineratorsin villages and communes. It is necessary to instruct organisations andindividuals to produce organic fertiliser from disposed organic waste.

Furthermore, they should work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment tocall for foreign investment in waste treatment plants using state-of-the-arttechnology. –VNA