Vietnam has to deal with a series of environmental protectionchallenges, particularly the management of solid waste due to increasedurbanisation and industrialisation.

Estimates say thatapproximately 29 million tonnes of solid waste will need to be treatedannually in Vietnam by 2015, reaching nearly 40 million tonnes by 2020.
The total volume of solid waste currently amounts to 28.4million tonnes a year, with 81 percent being household waste and 19percent being industrial and hazardous waste.

By June this year,46 out of 63 localities nationwide developed their own master plansfor solid waste management. By the end of this year, 90 percent oflocalities are expected to submit their plans. In particular, eachlocality has included solid waste management in the plans for newbuildings constructed as part of rural housing developments.

Approximately31,500 tonnes of solid waste are produced in urban areas each day,84 percent of which is being collected for treatment. This means thatthe target collection rate of 85 percent set forth in the National SolidWaste Management Strategy for 2015 will be met.

According toNguyen Hong Tien, Director of the Ministry of Construction’s TechnicalInfrastructure Agency, many private businesses have emerged in recentyears to collect and treat solid waste in urban zones, in addition tothe State-run collection services.

However, in rural areas, where more than 31,500 tonnes of solid waste are generated per day, only 40-55 percent is collected.

Atpresent, three methods are used to treat solid waste in cities, namelylandfills, microbial fertilizer production and incineration.

Initialstatistics show there are around 458 landfills covering a total area ofmore than 1,81ha throughout the country. However, only 121 of thesemeet the sanitation requirements. These sub-standard landfills havenegative impacts on the environment and landscape.

To addressthe bad conditions of some landfills and to improve the management ofsolid waste, the Government issued new legislation and putincentives in place to attract investments in the development andapplication of waste treatment technologies.

As many as 26 solidwaste treatment plants with a total capacity of 6,000 tonnes per dayare operated in several cities. A number of waste treatment facilitiesare currently being built and are expected to become operational soon.

Hideki Wada from the Japan International CooperationAgency said it is necessary to conduct field visits to landfillsthroughout Vietnam to promote suitable solid waste treatment methods,adding that the Government should encourage the public to get involved.-VNA