Efforts to ensure environmental cleanliness after Tet
Following the Lunar New Year holiday, the amount of household waste in many localities in Nghe An province increased dramatically, putting significant pressure on waste collection and processing. The Nghe An Environmental and Urban Works Company has mobilized maximum manpower and resources to urgently collect waste, ensuring sanitation and stabilizing the lives of the people.
A large amount of garbage is piling up.
According to reporters' observations, on February 20-21 (the 4th and 5th days of the Lunar New Year), numerous unauthorized garbage collection points appeared along many roads and in residential areas throughout the province. These sites accumulated large quantities of garbage, stretching for hundreds of meters, causing pollution and negatively impacting the aesthetics of the area.
For example, in the area in front of the old Thanh Khai commune stadium, garbage is dumped in long piles, spilling onto the road. Along the Bung River dike road, the section passing through Minh Chau commune, the illegal dumping of garbage by residents extends for about 300 meters; many garbage bags are torn open, leaking liquid and emitting an unpleasant odor.
In front of the My Son hamlet cultural center (Xuan Lam commune), despite signs prohibiting littering, garbage was still spontaneously dumped, forming a large pile. Similarly, along the dike of the Lam River, in the section passing through Hung Nguyen Nam commune, household waste piled up, directly affecting traffic and posing a potential safety risk.
Observations show that the waste mainly consists of packaging, plastic bags, styrofoam containers, leftover food, fresh flowers, potted plants after Tet (Lunar New Year), and various household items that accumulate during the holiday. Notably, in some areas, construction materials, large branches, and animal carcasses are mixed together, making sorting and processing difficult. It is estimated that the amount of waste during Tet increased 4-5 times compared to normal days, far exceeding the planned collection capacity.
This situation stems from several factors. Firstly, the increased demand for food and consumer goods has led to a significant increase in the amount of packaging and plastic bags generated. Secondly, some people are not strictly adhering to regulations regarding the time and location of waste disposal, still adopting a "dumping wherever is convenient" mentality, especially in areas along embankments and vacant lots.
Increase the workforce for waste collection.
In response to this situation, the Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Company has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to overcome the overload and quickly restore environmental sanitation to its normal routine.
Mr. Pham Huu Thang, Head of the Administrative and Organizational Department of the Nghe An Urban Environment and Construction Company, said: “The accumulation of garbage after Tet is unavoidable due to the sudden increase in volume. Even before Tet, the unit had developed a plan and mobilized 100% of its workforce, with approximately 500 staff and workers, along with all available equipment, to operate throughout the Tet holiday to ensure environmental protection.”
According to Mr. Thang, on the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), to allow workers to reunite with their families, the unit arranged shifts, ensuring both environmental hygiene and the well-being of the workers. From the second day onwards, the entire workforce returned to normal work with high intensity, even hiring additional seasonal workers to ensure the collection schedule was met.
"We are focusing on addressing the major backlogs. In the next few days, the excessive amount of garbage at these hotspots will definitely be completely collected, restoring a clean and beautiful environment for the people," Mr. Thang affirmed.
In addition to increasing manpower, the company also closely coordinates with the authorities of wards and communes, especially residential blocks and hamlets, to review and compile statistics on spontaneous garbage collection points, and promptly deploy vehicles to handle them. Public awareness campaigns are also intensified to improve people's understanding of disposing of garbage in designated areas and at the correct collection times.
Observations at several garbage collection "hot spots" show that many sanitation workers have to work continuously from morning, taking advantage of every hour to promptly clear the accumulated garbage dumps.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a worker in Collection Team No. 3, shared: “The days after Tet are the busiest time of the year. The amount of garbage increases many times over; in some places, the trucks have to make 2-3 trips to clear it all. Some days we work until 9-10 pm to finish. It's tiring, but seeing the streets clean again and people able to travel conveniently makes us happy.”
According to Ms. Huong, besides the large volume of garbage, difficulties also arise from the fact that many makeshift garbage collection points are located near roads or along embankments, making it difficult for specialized vehicles to access them. This forces workers to collect garbage manually, scooping each bag onto the truck. "We just hope that people will dispose of garbage on time and in the designated places so that our workers have less work to do and the environment is cleaner," she added.
In Minh Chau commune, where garbage is being dumped along the Bung River dike, local authorities said they have proactively notified and coordinated with the garbage collection unit to handle the dumping sites, while also reminding residents not to repeat the illegal dumping.
“After Tet, the amount of waste increased significantly, while the habit of dumping waste wherever convenient persists among some residents. We will continue to raise awareness and coordinate closely with environmental units to handle the issue promptly, preventing it from dragging on and causing public dissatisfaction,” shared Mr. Le The Hieu, Vice Chairman of Minh Chau commune.
Tet, the Lunar New Year, marks the beginning of a new year. The urgent collection and processing of waste, restoring a clean and beautiful environment, is not only an immediate task but also reflects the shared responsibility of the entire political system and the community. When each citizen raises their awareness and works together with the authorities, the problem of excessive waste after Tet will gradually be brought under control.