Waste classification at source needs efforts by people

With a high population growth rate, the amount of household waste has increased correspondingly. Binh Duong generates approximately 2,200 tons of household waste everyday. Addressing household waste management within the community is a significant concern for the province, aiming at achieving the goal of having 100% waste collected and treated.

Low waste classification rate

Ngo Chi Thang, Director of Biwase Waste Treatment Branch noted that rapid industrialization, modernization and urban development bring many significant socio-economic values. However, these advancements also present environmental challenges that require sustainable solutions. Biwase plays a crucial role in contributing to Binh Duong's environmental protection efforts.

A power plant utilizes heat from the incineration of non-recyclable waste with a capacity of 5MW

In early 2024, Biwase began operating a power plant utilizing heat from waste incineration with the capacity of 5MW. This initiative aims at eliminating landfills by incinerating non-recyclable waste and harnessing the heat for electricity generation.

Mr. Thang added that effective waste classification at the source has significantly reduced treatment costs. Despite piloting waste classification at source in the province, the classification rate remains low. Household waste comprises 65% organic waste, with the remaining solid waste requiring further classification at the plant for properly treating and recycling. This extended classification process increases treatment costs.

"The waste from the pilot sites, when brought to the plant, still has a high degree of mixing with a very high proportion of organic and inorganic waste. We have to continue operating our production line mechanically and manually to sort and process the amount of waste under the process”.

Incentives needed

Experts believe that waste classification at the source is crucial for reducing treatment costs. Properly sorted waste lowers expenses, bringing benefits to residents through reduced collection, treatment fees and helping treatment facilities reduce their operational costs.

According to the Biwase Waste Treatment Branch, despite being sorted at the source, waste still contains a high mix of different types and it has to be further sorted at the plant for processing

Provincial People's Committee has recently issued a plan for household solid waste classification at the source for the period of 2023-2025. This plan aims at raising community awareness and responsibility, gradually forming up a habit of voluntary classification among organizations, households and individuals. It promotes reusing and recycling activities, contributing to effectively using natural resources and minimizing environmental pollution.

According to a draft pricing proposal for household and individual waste producers in the province, in Thu Dau Mot city, the monthly fee is proposed to increase from VND 41,000 to VND 51,000-VND54,000 for each household and lodging room. In Di An city, the monthly fee will increase from VND 42,000 to VND 50,500 for each household and individual, and from VND 28,000 to VND 34,000 for each lodging room. Similar adjustments are proposed for other localities in 2024. Meanwhile, Biwase's treatment fee remains VND 527,000 per ton of household solid waste, with no current plans for adjustment.

Provincial leaders assert that fee adjustments should be reasonable, aligning with the living standards and incomes of people, especially workers, lodgers and low-income individuals. According to many suggestions,  incentives are necessary to encourage waste classification at the source. "In addition to reducing fees, it is necessary to invest in specialized colored trash bins to provide residents with them for sorting waste right at home. Besides the organic waste collection truck, there should be scheduled trucks to collect bulky waste and solid metal waste..., helping waste classificaion at the source be more effective.

"In preparation for waste classification at the source starting January 1, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and local authorities are urgently completing a system of guidance documents and preparing technical infrastructure and communication efforts to raise public awareness of synchronous implementation nationwide. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued several guiding documents, with the latest one being technical guidelines for sorting household solid waste. These guidelines identify the maximum types of household solid waste generated from households and individuals, categorizing them into three main groups as stipulated, including  recyclable and reusable solid waste, food waste and other household solid waste".

Reported by Minh Duy-Translated by Kim Tin