Innovation in waste collection: Stopping plastic from reaching the sea
According to a representative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, innovating waste collection technology in rivers will help the Southeast Asian country to prevent plastic waste from reaching the sea.
Hanoi (VNA) - Patrick H😼averman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Viet Nam, emphasized the importance of promoting innoไvation and developing technology to collect waterway waste.
According to UNDP, plastic pollution is an urgent issue that seriously threatens the environment and human health, especially in urban and coastal communities.
Updated statistics from UNDP show that Vietnam generates approximately 3 million tons of solid waste annually, with about 2.5% leaking into waterways. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, nearly 2,000 tons of plastic waste are discarded daily.
During a technical workshop on sustainable solutions for river and canal waste management, organised by UNDP Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment on September 20, Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, emphasised that achieving the goals of improving the quality of river and canal environments requires effective control of waste sources. This includes the collection and treatment of both wastewater and urban waste, which the city is committed to addressing.
Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Viet Nam, emphasized the importance of promoting innovation and developing technology to collect waterway waste.
Increased collection of plastic waste in rivers, canals and ditches reduces plastic pollution released into the environment. (Photo: Vietnam+)
The UNDP representative also expressed the organisation’s desire to continue collaborating with Ho Chi Minh City on solid waste management projects, particularly in waste sorting at the source and the establishment of material recovery facilities (MRF).
Ho Kien Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Pollution Control at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that strict management measures and cooperation among relevant parties are crucial to addressing the growing issue of plastic waste.
Sharing her experience in collecting waste from the Can Tho River and lessons from international projects, Charlotte de Jong, Regional Development Manager for Asia at The Ocean Cleanup, noted that advanced technology and international cooperation are essential in effectively tackling plastic waste in rivers, especially in countries with significant plastic waste generation.
At the workshop, experts shared lessons from deploying the Interceptor 003 waste collection system in the Can Tho River. According to them, although the system has helped reduce plastics pollution on the river, its collection efficiency has yet to reach its designed capacity due to complex hydrological conditions and a lack of regulations on economic and technical standards.
Therefore, the experts said, the government should quickly improve the legal framework to maintain and expand sustainable waste collection solutions in other localities, such as rivers, canals, and streams.
Additionally, it is necessary to strengthen public-private partnerships with support from international organisations to accelerate the green transition and achieve the goal of reducing marine plastic waste by 75% by 2030./.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
