Waste piles on Hanoi streets, impacting the environment.

Despite ongoing efforts, many areas in Hanoi still suffer from improper waste disposal, leading to environmental degradation. It is common to see overfilled garbage trucks with waste spilling onto the streets, accompanied by scattered plastic bags and refuse.

Spontaneous garbage dumps can be found in various locations, not only polluting the environment and spoiling the city's aesthetics but also posing health risks to nearby residents. One such example is the area at the end of Alley 76, An Duong.

An inspection of trash bins at designated collection points reveals that waste sorting at the source is not being rigorously followed. Organic waste (such as vegetable stems, food scraps, and fruit peels) is mixed with inorganic waste (like plastic bags, styrofoam containers, plastic straws, broken glass, and ceramics).

As part of a pilot program running until the first quarter of 2025, Hanoi has initiated household waste sorting in five inner-city districts: Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, and Nam Tu Liem. To enhance effectiveness and ensure city-wide waste sorting, bulky waste collection points have been established in various wards. Violations of public environmental protection regulations, such as improper waste disposal, will incur fines ranging from 500,000 to 2 million VND.

A sanitation worker explained that residents typically bring unsegregated waste to collection points, all mixed in one bag. This makes sorting and cleaning recyclable waste challenging for sanitation workers, who must manually separate each item before processing.

Hanoi generates approximately 7,000 tons of household waste daily. Public awareness is crucial in ensuring proper waste disposal and sorting. Many people still dispose of leftover food and broken items in the same bag, ignoring the potential for recycling.

To improve waste sorting, the Hanoi Urban Environment Company (URENCO) has initiated a pilot project that has seen positive engagement from the community. 

During this trial, residents who bring sorted waste to collection points receive small gifts such as fabric softeners, soap, detergent, dishwashing liquid, and reusable bags.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, a 67-year-old Hanoi resident who is deeply committed to environmental protection, shared: "With a 12-year journey of picking up trash to clean Hoan Kiem Lake, I always strive to do my best for the environment. In daily activities, I limit the use of non-degradable waste as much as possible. I collect bottles and cans and bring them to collection points every Saturday in exchange for gifts."

Khanh Linh