"Closing down" the Hung Dong landfill - Concerns remain...

(Baonghean) - Nearly two years after the Hung Dong landfill (Vinh City) was closed, issues related to waste treatment and environmental sanitation have been slow to be addressed, and the consequences of waste continue to affect the lives and production of people in the area.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duong, residing in Hamlet 2, Vinh Xuan - Hung Dong, complained: “The landfill hasn't been properly managed. When the weather changes, the pungent odor is very unpleasant. During the heavy rains caused by typhoons No. 5 and 6, the foul smell and wastewater from the landfill overflowed into the pond in the hamlet, causing environmental pollution and affecting the production and daily lives of the people.” Previously, when the Hung Dong landfill was still operating, environmental pollution was quite severe and widespread, affecting many households, agencies, units, and businesses. Since the Hung Dong landfill closed on December 31, 2011, the environmental pollution has gradually decreased.

However, currently, 9,078 residents of Hung Dong and Nghi Kim communes in the area surrounding the landfill are still affected by environmental pollution. Along with this, agricultural production faces many difficulties due to reduced yields and quality of crops, and especially, consumers are uneasy about using products from this area... To gradually support the people in the area affected by the landfill, in recent years, relevant levels and sectors have implemented many solutions and methods to mitigate environmental pollution and help people stabilize their lives and production. From 2008 onwards, Vinh City has allocated tens of billions of VND annually to treat waste, spray insecticides, improve the environment, and purchase health insurance for residents. From 2009 to the present, Vinh City... Vinh has received additional targeted funding from the central government of 30 billion VND per year and has allocated 10 billion VND per year for supporting and improving the environment and treating waste in the Hung Dong landfill area.

Mr. Dinh Nho Tai, an official from the Finance and Planning Department of the Vinh City People's Committee, stated: "Within a 1,000m2 radius of the Hung Dong landfill, authorities are carrying out insecticide spraying with an annual budget of approximately 4 billion VND, and purchasing health insurance for all residents in the affected area. In 2013, authorities are conducting environmental monitoring, and after the results are available, timely support will be provided to the residents."

Despite significant efforts to improve the environment and support local residents, environmental pollution persists at the Hung Dong landfill area, primarily due to slow waste treatment. To address waste in Hung Dong, SERAPHIN Green Environment Technology Joint Stock Company built the Dong Vinh Waste Treatment Plant in 2003, completing the project in 2004. However, it only became operational in 2006 with a processing capacity of 200 tons per day. The production process involves manual and mechanical separation and sorting of waste into recyclable plastics and nylon; compost for fertilizer; construction materials, etc. Due to outdated technology, the products do not meet market demands. Furthermore, the company's marketing efforts are limited, and consumer habits have not yet adapted to these products, resulting in large inventories, especially of organic compost for fertilizer.

Mr. To Phi Long, Director of the Dong Vinh Waste Treatment Plant, said: “Currently, we have over 20,000 tons of organic compost in stock, and in the coming time, as we accelerate waste treatment, the amount in stock will increase even more. If we cannot resolve the issue of output and clear the warehouse, it will affect the progress of waste treatment. The company has requested the city's approval to use the compost product for backfilling and reclaiming ponds and lakes that have been exploited for brick making.”

Waste processing line at Dong Vinh Waste Treatment Plant.

To support waste treatment at the Hung Dong landfill, Vinh City has provided 10 billion VND annually and has consistently adjusted the waste treatment price upwards, from 191,000 VND/m³ (in 2010) to 320,000 VND/m³ (in 2013). However, the Dong Vinh Waste Treatment Plant has only completed the treatment of waste at landfill sites No. 1 and No. 3. At landfill site No. 2, approximately 48,000 tons of waste remain, and treatment is underway, with completion expected by the end of 2013.

According to Vinh City's requirements, the Hung Dong landfill site was supposed to be fully processed and the land returned to its original condition by the end of 2015, covering nearly 10 hectares. However, difficulties in clearing existing inventory will inevitably affect the progress of waste treatment at the landfill. Therefore, while this is a crucial period for accelerating waste treatment, the Dong Vinh Waste Treatment Plant has had to reduce its workforce and operating capacity, currently only reaching a processing capacity of 130 tons per day.

The slow progress in waste treatment not only affects the operation of businesses and the goal of completely resolving the waste disposal issue at the Hung Dong landfill in Vinh City, but also negatively impacts the environment and the lives of people in the area. Therefore, the problems at the Hung Dong landfill need to be addressed and resolved promptly.

Vinh Hoang