A ceremony will be held at Cach Mang Thang Tam (August Revolution) Square on March 18 to launch the campaign and raise public awareness of classifying rubbish and keeping the environment healthy and clean. It is part of a 3R Initiative project being implemented by the Hanoi Urban and Environment Company (URENCO) and funded by the Japanese Government. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged to grant Hanoi US$3 million to implement the pilot project in Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da districts from 2007-2009 and other districts in the second phase. 

Rubbish still a natural resource

Each day Hanoi discharges more than 2,000 tonnes of rubbish most of which is unclassified and placed in landfills. The landfill method is a big waste of soil and money because rubbish itself contains many components which can be recycled for use. Therefore, if each citizen could classify rubbish at home, it would make use of rubbish for recycling, saving natural resources and labour.

According to JICA calculations, Hanoi will save nearly VND4 billion from rubbish treatment expenses if the 3R model is carried out effectively.

URENCO general director Chu Van Chung said the company has drawn up an action programme from 2010 to 2020. Accordingly, rubbish discharged from daily life activities will be classified at home and approximately 30 percent of this rubbish will be used for recycling. Organic rubbish has been used to process fertilisers. Other rubbish such as nylons, cartons and plastics will be recycled. Inorganic rubbish will be turned into building materials used for environmental upgrades.

Many countries in the world have recycled and reused material from rubbish, bringing about both environmental and economic efficiency. In developed countries, each family classifies rubbish into organic and inorganic and rubbish for recycling. However, this simple practice has not yet been adopted in Vietnam. 

Rubbish classification an impossible task?

Since 2003, URENCO has implemented a pilot project of classifying rubbish in families in Phan Chu Chinh ward. Every day, each family is provided with two nylon bags: the white one for organic rubbish (vegetables, fruit, flowers, food) and the black one for inorganic rubbish (glass, china, metals). However, over the past three years, the project has not produced good results.

According to Nguyen Huu Chien, deputy director of URENCO’s Environment Enterprise No2, every day the enterprise collects 11-12 tonnes of rubbish discharged from 1,830 households in Phan Chu Trinh ward. But only a tonne of organic waste is processed into microbiology fertilisers at the Cau Dien waste treatment factory. Although families are trained in how to separate organic and inorganic rubbish, the two types are still mixed together, he said.

Hoang Minh Hong, head of residential quarter 33B on Pham Ngu Lao street, complained that though ward youth and women unions were mobilised to encourage local people to follow instructions, the campaign seemed to be dying out.

Rubbish classification does not seem to be a difficult task for housewives. However, many complained that their houses are not large enough for two dustbins. Some others said that they could not divide their waste as they were not provided with enough white and black nylon bags.

Trinh Huu Phu, an official of the Environment Enterprise No2, said the enterprise provided households with two kinds of nylon bags at first. As the bags are expensive, the enterprise later provided them with only white bags for organic rubbish and encouraged them to make use of other nylon bags to contain inorganic rubbish. After a while, the enterprise could no longer support households at all and households had to look for nylon bags by themselves.

In addition, local authorities are raising concerns over the excessive use of nylon bags, which are not biodegradable.

Currently, under the 3R project, households in the ward are provided with a blue dustbin for inorganic rubbish, and they also want to get another dustbin for organic rubbish.

Whether or not they are provided with dustbins free of charge, they must buy at least one dustbin for their houses. In addition, the successful classification of rubbish completely depends on people’s awareness and their conscience.

Nguyen Thi Hong Thanh, a local resident on Pham Ngu Lao Street, said she supports rubbish classification as it brings benefits to the whole community. She also proposed that the city hand down financial fines to those who have the habit of throwing rubbish out into the streets.

However, not everyone shares Mrs Thanh’s opinions. At 17.30pm, piles of rubbish can be seen at street corners or by bus stations. Though rubbish areas are marked with white and black signs for organic and inorganic rubbish, many local residents bring with them only a nylon bag and throw it into either marked area.

Witnessing the scene, refuse collectors Nguyen Thi Bang and Bui Thi Nghia told VOVNews if only every one was aware of rubbish classification, their job would be much easier.

Rubbish classification, a small task but of great significance, should be encouraged in a civilized society with the aim of reducing environmental pollution. It is a pity that many people in society are unaware of this.

By Nguyen Thuy Hoa