Waste frustration
(Baonghean)In recent years, in the young urban area of Thai Hoa, the issue of environmental protection, especially waste management, is not new but remains a pressing concern, directly affecting the livelihoods of households and impacting the sustainable development of the locality.
According to statistics from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thai Hoa Town, the average daily amount of household waste in the town alone is approximately 40 tons. The most pressing issues regarding the collection and processing of household waste are concentrated in the central wards of Hoa Hieu, Quang Tien, Quang Phong, Long Son, and parts of Dong Hieu, Tay Hieu, and Nghia Thuan communes. Waste collection in the area is assigned to Thai Hoa Urban Environment Joint Stock Company, but the company's current capacity is insufficient to meet all the demand. Waste is mainly collected at two landfills: one in Dong Tam 1 block of Hoa Hieu ward and the other in Doc Cao block of Quang Tien ward (these two landfills were in use before the town was established).
However, because these two landfills were formed entirely spontaneously, without proper planning or design, the reality is that they are increasingly causing pollution for the surrounding residents, especially in recent years, with the rapid increase in household waste. At the landfill in Dong Tam 1 block, we witnessed a "mountain" of garbage lying haphazardly on the side of a hill in the ward's cemetery area, emitting a foul odor and causing wastewater to flow freely into the surrounding area. Mr. Tran Van Mao, Director of Thai Hoa Urban Environment Joint Stock Company, said: “The waste treatment process here is still very simple. The company only sprays chemicals to deodorize, incinerate waste, and periodically sprays insecticides to kill flies and insects. On holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), we cover the waste with tarpaulins. Besides, the road to the landfill is currently inadequate, so the company cannot invest in garbage compactors or expand its operations. Currently, the company only has two dump trucks and 13 workers. The company hopes that the town will have a centralized landfill that complies with environmental protection regulations, which would make our operations more convenient.”
The landfill in Dong Tam I block, Hoa Hieu ward, Thai Hoa town is overloaded.
The unprofessional construction, collection, and processing of the landfill, as mentioned above, have led to environmental pollution and disrupted the lives of the surrounding residents. This was reflected in the residents' feedback when we left the landfill to investigate directly in Dong Tam 1 block, Hoa Hieu ward. Upon meeting, Ms. Ngo Thi Huong (57 years old), whose house is only a few dozen meters from the landfill, remarked that we were "lucky" to have arrived on a cool day, resulting in fewer flies and less foul odor. "Every day I go to the market, I have to buy fly swatters first. Using 10 swatters a day is normal, not to mention having to buy fly repellent spray. Yet, flies from the landfill swarm in like bees, especially in the summer and during the transitional seasons," she said.
Because of the "infested" flies, the daily lives of Mrs. Huong's family and other households in the neighborhood have been greatly affected for the past few years, especially their eating and sleeping habits. "We can't even eat in peace here. The entire pot of rice and plate of food is covered in flies; when we serve, we have to use three fans at once, but the flies still won't fly away. Our houses are always kept tightly closed," said Mrs. Tran Thi Hien, Mrs. Huong's neighbor. Representing the people of Dong Tam I block, Mrs. Phan Thi Anh Dao – the block leader – suggested: "Dong Tam 1 block, Hoa Hieu ward, has 98 households with 352 residents."
The households living near the landfill are the most severely affected. But almost everyone in our neighborhood is impacted, especially the health of the elderly and children. Through numerous meetings with constituents at the ward and town levels, we have petitioned for the landfill to cease operations, but we have yet to see any action. Most recently, during a meeting with constituents of the Hoa Hieu Ward People's Council, the people continued to request that the landfill's operations be stopped by the third quarter of this year.”
Regarding the issue of household waste disposal sites, as early as 2007, Nghia Dan district (formerly), after receiving approval from the province, conducted a survey to build a centralized waste disposal site in Nghia Hoa commune. However, for various reasons, this option was later abandoned. The environmental pollution situation, which was not thoroughly addressed, continued to worsen. In September 2012, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision allowing Thai Hoa town to change the survey location and develop a detailed plan. In December 2012, the Provincial People's Committee approved the detailed plan for the construction of the waste treatment site project, assigning the town's People's Committee as the investor. In March 2013, Thai Hoa town announced the plan and the technology to be used.
Accordingly, the waste treatment site is located in Nghia Hoa commune, covering an area of nearly 20 hectares, using sanitary landfill technology, with an average capacity of over 30,486 tons per year. Currently, Thai Hoa town has completed land clearance for 10 hectares with compensation of 3.6 billion VND and completed 10 km of mountainous road (level 4) leading to the waste treatment site.
Thus, while the waste treatment site plan exists, completing and putting it into operation will take a considerable amount of time. Meanwhile, the old landfills continue to struggle to cope with the enormous "mountain" of waste, causing pollution and affecting people's lives. Regarding this issue, Mr. Ho Thanh Phong - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thai Hoa Town, said: The two landfills in Thai Hoa Town will receive budget support for relocation according to the Prime Minister's Decision on targeted financial support from the State budget to thoroughly address, remedy pollution, and minimize environmental degradation for certain public sector entities.
However, while awaiting funding to relocate the two existing landfills and construct a new one, Thai Hoa will build a temporary landfill at the approved planned site to meet the town's daily waste collection needs, thereby ending the dumping of waste at the two landfills currently causing environmental pollution in Hoa Hieu and Quang Tien wards.”
With its ever-expanding scale and rapidly increasing population, urban environmental problems are inevitable. Therefore, it is hoped that the Thai Hoa town waste treatment plant project will be quickly implemented and put into operation to contribute to building a civilized, clean, and beautiful city, ensuring a healthy living environment for the people.
Text and photos: Thanh Duy
