Garbage dump has no space, leachate flows out
Recorded at Dong Thang landfill (Co Do district) - the largest landfill in Can Tho city with about 700,000 tons of garbage - 3 chimneys of the incinerator continuously release thick, thick coils of smoke, mixed with a strong stench, covering the entire area.
People here said that the pollution caused by smoke and stench from this incinerator has lasted for many years. Schools and health stations near the area are affected, posing a potential risk of respiratory diseases, especially for students and young children.
"Every time I pass by here, the stench from the landfill is very unpleasant. I wear a mask covering my face but I have to try to hold my breath and run as fast as possible, even though I am a few hundred meters away, I still smell it, said Duc Phu (42 years old).
Mr. Le Chi Phuong - Vice Chairman of Co Do District People's Committee - informed that the Dong Thang landfill location is only a temporary landfill, not included in the planning. Currently, this landfill has run out of space, and leachate flows out frequently. Although the locality has organized tarpaulins and deodorant spraying, it has still been complained by people.
During the monitoring and working session with the People's Committee of Can Tho City on March 17 on the implementation of policies and laws on environmental protection since the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 took effect, the issue of environmental pollution at Dong Thang landfill was especially emphasized by Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Can Tho City Dao Chi Nghia.
The thick leachate water along with the increasing amount of garbage every day are putting great pressure on the dike system surrounding the landfill. In particular, the distance between the landfill and the inland dike is only about 5 hectares, increasing the risk of dike breaches, causing serious pollution in the area.
Proposal to build a waste treatment plant in Co Do
Currently, Can Tho City has 4 large landfills with a total volume of nearly 1 million tons of waste. Of which, Dong Thang landfill was 700,000 tons, Cai Rang landfill was 162,000 tons, Thot Not landfill was 60,000 tons, and O Mon landfill was 40,000 tons.
According to Mr. Phuong, the cost of burning garbage is about 401,291 VND/ton. Thus, to completely treat the 700,000 tons of waste at Dong Thang landfill, it will cost more than 280 billion VND, not including transportation costs.
Faced with this situation, Mr. Dao Chi Nghia proposed urgent solutions. First of all, it is necessary to continue implementing a waste treatment area in Thoi Lai with a plan of 60 hectares. At the same time, it is necessary to plan a separate waste treatment point for Dong Thang landfill to treat 700,000 tons of waste.
Analyzing the plan to transport waste from Dong Thang to Thoi Lai, Mr. Nghia said that this is not economically feasible. With a transportation cost of 300,000 VND/ton, moving 700,000 tons of waste will cost up to 210 billion VND, not including treatment costs.
Therefore, Mr. Nghia proposed the optimal option of building a waste treatment plant with guaranteed technology in Co Do, where Dong Thang landfill is located. In addition, it is possible to consider building an additional waste treatment plant in Cai Rang to treat 162,000 tons of waste. For the amount of waste in O Mon and Thot Not, it can be transported to the waste treatment plant in Co Do.
Mr. Nghia emphasized the need to consider adjusting the planning to thoroughly solve the problem of backlog of waste, avoiding serious consequences for the environment and people's lives.
