His pilot project previously won a US$70,000 grant from the New York Science Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) after attending the contest entitled "the Environmental Protection Initiative" held by the UNDP in 2004.

These successes encouraged the director to build a pesticide treatment zone called the Ben Luc green environment station, capable of treating 5-7 cubic metres per hour with 500-700mg of pollutants per litre. The station can treat six litres of strong pesticides in a closed process, which involves diluting and separating pesticides into water and harmless inorganic acid. The station also has an incinerating system that can burn 10kg of pesticide containers after being washed.

Under the project, Mr Tri has mobilised the community to desist from their uncontrolled pesticide utilisation and devise a local action plan for pesticide destruction and management.

A Global Environmental Fund expert said that the model has drawn the attention of UNDP experts. The agency will possibly invite international experts to further analyse the examination results of the project before deciding on sponsorship plans. It also intends to launch a symposium on this technology in HCM City this September.