Alarm about pollution from waste in rural markets

(Baonghean) - The situation of widespread waste causing serious pollution in markets is a very worrying issue in rural areas today.

Quynh Thien market (Hoang Mai town) has existed for a long time, this is the main trading and trading place of the people in the area. After each market session, a large amount of garbage is discharged. Right at the end of the market is a land used to collect garbage that has existed for more than 10 years; the classification and treatment of garbage is still rudimentary, leading to environmental pollution. Some traders in Quynh Thien market said that the collection only takes place once a day in the afternoon, so garbage accumulates all day in the market. In addition, the planning and arrangement of stalls in the market is not reasonable, it is muddy in the rainy season, and smelly in the dry season...

The spontaneous landfill behind Gieng Con market, Thanh Yen commune (Thanh Chuong) causes environmental pollution. Photo: Quang An

A cleaner at Quynh Thien market added: The amount of garbage after the market is a lot, while the garbage collection truck only comes once every 4-5 days, so people have to gather garbage at the back of the market, mainly seafood waste, so it quickly smells, the only way is to burn it because there is no machine to process it...

To solve the above problem, Mr. Nguyen Ba Binh - Vice Chairman of Quynh Thien Ward People's Committee said: Recently, Hai An Market Cooperative has made a proposal to Hoang Mai town about investing and upgrading Quynh Thien market, which will become the central market of the town in the future. It is expected that the waste treatment area will be upgraded, solving the current pollution situation...

Sanitation workers at Quynh Thien market (Hoang Mai town) have to work hard due to the large amount of waste. Photo: Quang An

Traders at Hung Thinh market (Hung Nguyen) process fish directly on the roadside and discharge wastewater directly into the environment. Photo: Quang An

At Gieng Con market, located in Thanh Yen commune (Thanh Chuong), is a traditional trading place for local people. Every day, a large amount of waste and wastewater from shops and kiosks is left behind, polluting the environment and affecting the lives of households around the area.

The most serious pollution is currently concentrated in the area behind Gieng Con market, with garbage overflowing even in the sales area. The drainage ditch is pitch black and smells foul. The pork stall area is dilapidated, the floor is damp, and there is no clean water to use for cleaning. Ms. Nguyen Thi H, a trader, said: Because it is an old rural market, Gieng Con market has not been invested in upgrading, leading to a lack of necessary environmental sanitation items, such as drainage systems, roofs, etc.

At the afternoon market in Hung Thinh commune (Hung Nguyen), because it is located on the main road to Vinh city, the traffic volume is very large. The amount of smoke and dust emitted sticks to the food on both sides of the road. It is known that this is a spontaneous market, without a drainage system, so many people after processing fish and shrimp conveniently pour wastewater directly onto the street, emitting a strong fishy smell.

Mr. Le Van Hung - Chairman of Hung Thinh Commune People's Committee said: Previously, there was a project to build a market, but it had to be stopped due to lack of capital, so this is still the only market in the locality. Currently, Hung Thinh Commune has planned to build a market on this land.

Not only is the wastewater ditch at Gieng Con market, Thanh Yen commune, full of garbage, it also smells bad and is pitch black. Photo: Quang An

The above markets are just some of the rural markets that are alarmingly polluted by waste and wastewater affecting the rural environment. Goods in rural markets may be more attractive and cleaner than those in urban markets, but with such pollution, it not only affects the quality of goods and food safety but also affects the new rural development movement of the localities.

Quang An