Many trash cans are left empty because they are inconvenient.
According to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, from January 1, 2025, domestic solid waste will have to be sorted at source. Sorting waste at source will become mandatory in all localities across the country. This is considered an important step to reduce pressure on the environment, save resources and promote a circular economy.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also issued Technical Guidelines for classifying domestic solid waste for localities to implement plans for classifying, collecting, and treating waste according to Article 75 of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020. In case of violations at households, the fine can be up to 1 million VND.
There are only a few days left until 2025, but according to Lao Dong, many residential areas and public areas still do not have enough 3 bins to classify waste according to regulations.
Along Cau Giay Street (Cau Giay District, Hanoi), Hanoi City has installed garbage sorting bins in many locations, however, these bins are almost abandoned due to many inconveniences during use.
"Current trash bins are only suitable for personal waste, but there is not enough space for household waste. In addition, the mouth of the bin is designed too small, making it difficult to throw trash, so it is not difficult to see images of trash scattered around the bin, while the bin is still empty.
Furthermore, according to the new regulations, there are 3 types of garbage required, but the trash bins are equipped with a maximum of 2 types, so it is very difficult for people to comply with the requirements" - Mr. Manh Quan (Cau Giay, Hanoi) shared.
As a resident of the Ecohome 2 apartment complex (Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi), Ms. Ha Van said that the apartment complex where her family lives does not have 3 required garbage sorting bins.
"Most households living here only separate two types of waste: solid waste that can be reused or recycled, and food waste. Other household solid waste such as hazardous waste, bulky waste, etc. do not have sorting bins, so many households choose to throw it away or hire a vehicle to transport it to the garbage dump.
Requiring three types of trash bins will be very difficult for households living in big cities because the housing area is not enough, so where can we find space for three trash bins?" - Ms. Van said.
Ms. Ha Van also said that many people in the area have not yet been informed about the new regulations on proper waste classification, so it is inevitable that all waste is put into one category.
Collectors face difficulties
Working as an environmental cleaner along Truong Cong Giai Street (Cau Giay), Ms. Ngoc Quyen said that currently, the workers in the company are not equipped with specialized tools and garbage trucks to collect the three types of classified waste.
"It is difficult to classify waste from the source into the three types, but collecting the classified waste is even more difficult. Each worker will be assigned an area to collect and gather waste. If collecting and classifying according to regulations is applied, specialized garbage trucks are required.
Otherwise, each worker has to move back and forth to an area 3 times to collect 3 types of garbage, which means the workload increases 3 times. Besides, in many areas, people's awareness is not high, not only do they not classify garbage but also litter indiscriminately, not in accordance with regulations. Therefore, if based on the workload and the huge amount of garbage discharged every day, it will be extremely difficult to implement the collection process according to the correct process" - Ms. Quyen informed.
Sharing about this issue, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi An - Director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development said: "Currently, most of the garbage trucks brought to the collection site are unclassified. Because, if classified, when loaded onto the truck to the garbage treatment site, they will all be collected in the same type.
Therefore, if we want to effectively implement this regulation, we need to implement each stage synchronously. Not only do we require 3 types of trash cans, but we also need specialized garbage trucks and transfer vehicles to facilitate the classification work when collecting trash..."
