Outrage over garbage burning at Cap Tien landfill
Recently, people in Cap Tien commune (Tien Lang district, Hai Phong) reported the situation of garbage burning occurring at the commune's centralized landfill. According to information and images recorded by people, on October 24 and November 1, the centralized landfill of thousands of square meters in Cap Tien commune was burning fiercely in many parts, with acrid smoke covering the entire area. The garbage burning situation directly affects people living and farming near this area.
On the afternoon of November 4, Lao Dong reporters noted that there was no burning of garbage at the Cap Tien landfill. However, most of the landfill area was blackened with ash, showing signs of having been burned before.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Pham Cong Tam - Chairman of the People's Committee of Cap Tien commune - admitted that there was garbage burning happening at the commune's centralized landfill.
According to Mr. Tam, the landfill has existed for a long time, gathering garbage from nearly 2,000 households in 10 villages in the commune. Previously, the garbage from households was collected by the commune. From June 15, 2023, the commune has contracted with Hai Phong Environmental Services Company Limited to collect, transport and treat household waste. Recently, the authorities have received feedback on the situation of garbage burning and have invited Hai Phong Environmental Services Company Limited to work, requesting the unit to immediately fix it.
Deal with garbage burning thoroughly
It is known that the situation of garbage burning occurs not only at the landfill of Cap Tien commune but also at the landfill of Quang Phuc commune, Bach Dang commune, Tien Lang district. Mr. Pham Xuan Hoa - Chief of Office of Tien Lang District People's Committee - said that through grasping public opinion, the district has received and handled a lot of information about the situation of garbage burning at some concentrated landfills in the area. Accordingly, the People's Committees of communes are required to inspect and supervise the collection and treatment of household waste using environmentally friendly methods; strictly handle if industrial waste is found to be collected and burned in landfills.
“Up to now, Quang Phuc commune landfill no longer burns garbage, the amount of garbage collected in thousands of tons as before has also been processed. However, there is still garbage burning at Cap Tien and Bach Dang commune landfills, the district is still asking the communes to inspect and strictly handle if violations are detected,” said Mr. Hoa.
As for Kien Thiet landfill, there are about 6,000 tons of waste left. Currently, the landfill has been sealed off and is awaiting treatment. It is expected that the treatment of Kien Thiet landfill will be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Tien Lang district has 24 temporary landfills operating to treat domestic waste (including 19 temporary landfills treated by manual burial, 5 landfills treated by composting organic waste with microorganisms). In 2023, the whole district generated about 115,310 tons of domestic waste. Along with treating concentrated landfills in the area, Tien Lang district is also promoting the implementation of solid waste classification at source, with the goal that by the end of 2024, 100% of communes and towns in the district will complete and continue to maintain the classification of domestic solid waste at source; resolutely and strictly handle violations.
