Difficulties in the new waste classification process
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has 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.
According to this process, solid waste will be classified at each household, then collected at collection points and transported to waste treatment areas. In case of violation at the household level, the fine can be up to 1 million VND.
When asked about this information, Ms. Nguyen Ha (Ha Dong district, Hanoi) shared that the implementation of household waste classification is still facing many difficulties because she does not clearly understand how to classify waste according to the new regulations.
"My sister's family is still sorting according to the usual method. Many types of garbage such as plastic bottles, broken ceramics, iron nails... the family still puts them all together because the quantity is not much. If we divide them into smaller types, it will take more time and we will have to use more types of bags. Besides, if we apply the new regulations, the family will have to prepare up to 3 different types of trash cans to distinguish them. This will not only take up more space in the house, but also increase expenses..." - Ms. Ha informed.
Currently living in the Ecohome Apartment Complex (Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi), Mr. Van Thang said that his family has not been informed by the local authorities or the building management board about the work of classifying garbage according to the new regulations, so it is inevitable that all garbage is put into one category.
"To classify waste at source, there needs to be a standard process and synchronized implementation steps so that it can be widely applied and effective..." - Mr. Thang said.
Applying technology in waste classification
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang - Deputy Director of Urenco Hoan Kiem Branch (Hanoi Urban Environment Company Limited, Hoan Kiem Branch) - said that applying technology in waste classification at source is a useful solution to promote and improve the efficiency of waste classification habits in households, as well as increase the collection of recyclable waste.
Ms. Nguyen Ha Phuong (Ba Dinh district, Hanoi) said that her family has used technology applications to classify waste at source to solve the problem of location of each type of waste when classifying.
"I just need to take a photo or ask questions about the type of waste I want to classify, and immediately, the application will show me how to classify that type of waste according to the new regulations. That's why my family's classification process has become easier and more convenient," Ms. Phuong shared.
As one of the units developing applications for waste treatment and classification, Ms. Tran Thi Thoa - CEO of MGREEN Social Enterprise - shared that applying technology in waste classification does not stop at the level of waste classification at the source but can also solve the entire process of collecting and treating classified waste.
“The unit has developed the mGreen mobile application to help create a network of recyclable waste collectors to meet the needs of collecting and exchanging recyclable waste after people sort waste at the source. The application has linked with over 100 stores, supermarkets and e-commerce platforms in Hue City and Hanoi so that people can exchange sorted waste for points, thereby accumulating points to redeem gifts. The gifts will be converted into e-vouchers for shopping or vouchers at affiliated supermarkets and stores. The application also integrates the feature of receiving waste collection at home. With this feature, people do not need to directly bring sorted waste to exchange, but someone will come to their home to collect and bring the waste to exchange for points instead..." - Ms. Tran Thi Thoa said.
