Field trash bins contribute to environmental protection.

(Baonghean) - The application of scientific and technological advancements has led to increasing achievements in agricultural production. However, the downside is the problem of waste from packaging, bottles, and pesticide containers, which pollutes the environment and directly affects people's health. The model of waste bins in agricultural fields, currently being implemented in many localities, is considered an important solution to address this issue.

Visiting Phuc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) these days, you'll see the fields covered in the green of newly planted rice seedlings, and the rural roads are no longer littered with bottles and packaging containing pesticides as before.

Speaking with us, Mr. Le Dinh Quang, Head of the Agriculture Committee of the commune, said: “Previously, after mixing pesticides, farmers often carelessly threw the packaging in the fields, not only causing unsightly conditions but also polluting the environment, especially significantly affecting water sources. There were also glass pesticide bottles scattered along the edges of fields and canals, easily stepped on by people. However, in the past year, with the support of higher authorities in providing trash bins in the fields and instructing farmers on how to use pesticides correctly, this situation has gradually been rectified.”

Cylindrical trash bins, made of cement and with a diameter of 90-100 cm, are placed at locations where people often mix pesticides, for convenient disposal of packaging and bottles.

After surveying the local situation, the Provincial Plant Protection Sub-Department and the Yen Thanh District Plant Protection Station selected Vinh field, located in Hamlet 10A (Lien Son), Phuc Thanh commune, to pilot the placement of three agricultural waste bins. Seeing the clear effectiveness of this model in protecting the environment, Phuc Thanh commune is planning to quickly expand its implementation to the entire commune. When the bins are full, the waste will be transported to a centralized treatment facility.

Since the beginning of 2014, the Nghe An Plant Protection Department has developed a model of "Community-based sustainable management of rice pests and minimizing pesticide pollution risks," focusing on raising awareness and responsibility among farmers, reducing risks from pesticides, and protecting the environment and public health. In the first year of implementing this model, the Department provided partial funding to communes to build field waste bins, piloting the project in 8 communes across 5 key rice-producing districts of the province (2 models in Yen Thanh district, 2 models in Hung Nguyen district, and 1 model each in Dien Chau, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, and Nam Dan districts). In each model, for every 5 hectares of rice fields, the Plant Protection Department provided one agricultural waste bin.

Recognizing the positive effects of this initiative, districts have invested in installing more waste bins in agricultural fields; at the same time, they have widely disseminated information to raise awareness among the people about disposing of waste in designated areas. For example, in Thanh Lien commune (Thanh Chuong district), there are currently nearly 60 agricultural waste bins evenly distributed across the entire agricultural area of ​​the commune. Ms. Le Thi Tuyet (Hamlet 7, Thanh Lien commune) said: “Before, many pesticide bottles were carelessly thrown in the fields and ditches, and we were always afraid of stepping on them while working in the fields. Since the waste bins were placed along the field edges, we no longer have to worry, and the environment is less polluted.” According to Mr. Phan Ba ​​Ngoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Lien commune, this model has been enthusiastically supported by the people, so the commune will install more waste bins in the near future to meet the needs of agricultural waste disposal...

However, in reality, some people are still not fully aware of the harmful effects of pesticide packaging and bottles, and therefore continue the habit of "throwing them wherever is convenient," preventing field waste bins from fulfilling their full role and effectiveness.

In addition, some trash cans are placed near residential areas, so people collect household waste in them, making sorting and disposal difficult. According to regulations, waste treatment centers must be located at least 3 km away from residential areas.

However, some localities are currently not handling waste properly. Some places use methods such as burning or burying it on-site, while bottles and solid waste are not easily biodegradable and, over time, will negatively impact the soil and water environment and directly affect people's health.

When asked about ways to overcome these limitations, Mr. Pham Thanh Long – Deputy Head of the Agricultural Plant Protection Department, Nghe An Plant Protection Sub-Department, said: “During the implementation of this model, we established “self-managed farmer” groups, each group consisting of 3 people, including reputable farmers who are capable of understanding the issues to coordinate the inspection of the implementation of the regulations, and at the same time, direct, investigate and resolve difficulties in the implementation process. Regarding the collection and disposal of pesticide packaging after use, we are trying to encourage people to develop a spirit of self-discipline, disposing of waste in the fields in the designated places, and then collecting pesticide packaging from containers once a year and gathering it at one location for processing.”

To develop green and clean agricultural production that meets VietGAP standards, it must first begin with the awareness of each individual in preserving the farming environment. Local authorities need to promote and educate people to raise their awareness of environmental protection, creating a habit of collecting pesticide packaging after use. This could even be incorporated into regulations and village customs to control people's behavior. Furthermore, all levels and sectors need to implement appropriate solutions for collecting and processing agricultural waste, maximizing the positive and comprehensive effectiveness of this progressive model to replicate it throughout the province.

Phuong Thao