Every day, the Phu Tho Waste Treatment Joint Stock Company’s landfill receives dozens of tons of domestic waste from many places in Phu Tho province. The stench, flies, and leachate released into the environment affect people’s lives.
According to the reporter's records in early November 2024, the garbage dump is located next to the road leading to zone 5, Tram Than commune.
Dump trucks carry garbage piled high from all over the place and pour here every day.Sometimes water and garbage spill out onto the road, and the stench is overwhelming every time the trucks pass by.
Standing hundreds of meters away from the dump, you can still smell the stench, the stuffy air, and the flies flying towards the residential area.
Mr. Bui Van Hai (Zone 5, Tram Than Commune) said that his family lives a few steps away from Phu Tho Waste Treatment Joint Stock Company. Although they have been allocated resettlement land, due to some problems, his family has not yet left.
"The stench is so strong, it's unbearable. I don't know if they put a tarpaulin or not, but the water is pitch black, especially on rainy days.
There are a lot of flies, living here is very difficult. Every time I pass by the landfill, I can't stand it, it makes me nauseous. Many households that are not in the relocation area still have to endure the stench and pollution every day. People have complained a lot but it's not going anywhere," said Mr. Hai.
Also indignant, Ms. N.T.H (Tram Than commune) said that although her house is far from the landfill, she can still smell the stench, especially in the right direction of the wind. The surrounding air is always stuffy and difficult to breathe.
According to Ms. H, the most haunting thing is when passing through the garbage treatment area, the strong, sour smell from all kinds of waste. Even though she wears many layers of masks, she can still feel it clearly.
"The garbage trucks passing by are already smelly enough, many of them leak water while moving. In the past, people even blocked the trucks because of the environmental impact. The landfill is full of flies, and it's very miserable on windy or rainy days.
I don't know how they handle it, but it affects the people a lot. Living here, I'm always worried, from the stench to the wastewater," Ms. H said indignantly.
Although the people's worries and insecurities are well-founded, living with the constant stench, the answer of the Chairman of Tram Than Commune People's Committee surprised many people.
Speaking with reporters, Mr. Le The Cuong - Chairman of Tram Than Commune People's Committee - confirmed that before 2020, people had many complaints about environmental pollution here, even blocking garbage trucks.
"However, from 2020 until now, the locality has not received any feedback from people about environmental pollution. We have not received any feedback from People's Council meetings, voter meetings or petitions," Mr. Cuong affirmed.
Some images recorded by PV:
