The technology trash can model project in Hanoi has a total investment of more than 200 billion VND, installed since 2020 to improve the situation of littering among people, contributing to beautifying urban aesthetics and forming the habit of maintaining public hygiene. The project also hopes to change the awareness of the people of the capital in waste classification.
In addition to the normal garbage storage function, each trash can is equipped with a solar panel to convert energy into electricity, providing about 25W of night lighting, while also serving advertising display. Accordingly, about 12,000 technology trash bins have been installed in Hanoi, with a capacity of 240 liters, divided into two separate compartments: Red for non-recyclable waste and green for recyclable waste, with clear captions.
However, after nearly 6 years of implementation, many technology trash bins now seem to only "ists". The system is degraded and damaged; where the bins are gone, where the trash is scattered. It is worth mentioning that the trash bins are designed to light up information boards and advertisements above thanks to the energy panel. When it was first implemented, the model once made people expect a cleaner, more modern urban appearance, but the current reality shows the opposite.
According to records, many technology trash bins in Hanoi have been damaged and are not effective. On some streets, garbage piled up right at the foot of the bins, giving off an unpleasant smell. In the area of Nguyen Chi Thanh Street (Lang Ward), trash bins become a waste when surrounded by trash bags, used clothes, and discarded items, causing the urban face to be shabby. Due to small capacity, not meeting the actual amount of waste, many places "have and do not".
It is easy to see that although the trash can be divided into two compartments to classify recyclable and non-recyclable waste, most people do not do it.Household waste, plastic bags, clothes, used items...were thrown around.
Some boxes were turned upside down, the container compartment overturned, forcing people to dump garbage on the roadside.In Duy Tan street and Cau Giay street, many technology trash bins are seriously degraded such as being distorted, the lids are opened, and the doors are open, causing flies and mosquitoes to grow.Dilapidated boxes, holes in the holes; garbage flows onto the road, creating black, dirty patches...As a result, garbage is thrown haphazardly around the roots of trees, the foot of the box, giving off a foul smell, affecting people's daily life every time they pass by.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngat, a resident on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, said: The trash can is very dirty and rarely collected. Sometimes garbage is often overflowing, falling onto sidewalks and roads, causing unsanitary conditions and affecting the aesthetics.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi An - Director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development, said that the project aims at the positive goal of protecting the urban environment.However, in reality, it has not been effective due to limitations in management and people's awareness.
"The city needs to have a specific plan, monitor each implementation stage in detail; any bottlenecks must be adjusted immediately, ensuring the project achieves the final target.Everything must be done wherever it is to bring the highest efficiency, Ms. An emphasized.
According to a representative of Hanoi Urban Environment Company Limited, this project was implemented by a unit in the form of socialization. The purpose is to collect small trash from people and tourists on the road, not household waste, so the bins should be small in size. However, because many people take out and put in household waste, causing the bins to quickly fill and overflow, it both loses the beauty and increases the workload for environmental sanitation staff.
The technology trash bin project was once expected to be a new direction to raise awareness of dumping garbage in the right place, contributing to building a civilized, clean and beautiful urban area. However, up to now, many boxes have been left unused, degraded, and do not meet the actual requirements. If this situation continues without solutions for management, inspection, maintenance and regular collection, technology trash bins will only be a testament to the waste of social resources.
