Solving problems for waste treatment area in Bau Can commune

The PPC Delegation supervises the waste treatment area in Bau Can commune, Long Thanh district

Dissatisfaction of requirements on environment and landfills

Waste treatment project in Bau Can commune is a project in the list of investment incentives according to the Government's regulations. The project was licensed for investment in April 2012, on an area of more than 94ha, investment capital of nearly VND 295 billion, divided into 3 phases. After adjustment, this project also has a scale of more than 31ha, an investment of over VND 393 billion and a capacity of 700 tons of waste per day.

As committed by the investor, all waste (domestic, industrial, and hazardous) brought to the treatment plant will be converted into heat, electricity, raw materials, and fertilizers by modern and advanced treatment technology. However, in reality, the operation of this enterprise has not fully met the environmental conditions and requirements of the province.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, said that in 2015, this project completed phase 1 on schedule and was licensed by the Vietnam Environment Administration to receive domestic waste, ordinary industrial waste, residual waste and hazardous waste for treatment. Operation process from 2015 to present, the WTA has occur many problems. For example, this enterprise built some more itemsn and works not in the approved detailed plan; In terms of environment, this enterprise has an environmental impact assessment report, has carried out monitoring but also keeps garbage outside; no shield, no spraying of deodorant chemicals, causing odors and waste leachate to spill out of the WTA; In addition, this enterprise has not had measures to prevent chemical incidents; not yet performing the obligations of environmental remediation and replacements.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a decision to sanction administrative violations and the cost for the examination of waste samples totaled nearly VND 600 million, but by June 2020, enterprises have not fulfilled their obligations.

The representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment added that, by the end of 2019, waste treatment in Bau Can commune collects, processes and recycle on average 286 tons of ordinary industrial waste / day; collection and treatment of nearly 5 tons of hazardous waste / day; collecting about 200 tons of domestic waste / day (in districts of Long Thanh, Nhon Trach). Basic domestic and industrial waste is classified and treated, however, 100% of domestic waste collected for burial does not comply with the enterprise's commitment, it does not meet the province's requirement to reduce burial to less than 15%. On that basis, the province has made request and this enterprise has stopped receiving domestic waste from January 2020. For other types of waste, this enterprise still normally collects but mainly from elsewhere for treatment. This is unreasonable because the waste treatment is located in the province, but does not receive and treat the waste therefrom.

Finding the right options

The PPC Delegation supervises the waste treatment area in Bau Can commune, Long Thanh district

In fact, planning a WTA in the area of each district is necessary to thoroughly treat the waste source on-site, limiting the risk of secondary environmental pollution during transportation. However, at present, the WTA in Bau Can commune has stopped completely receiving domestic waste in 2 districts of Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, causing difficulties for some localities.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Giang Huong, Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Nhon Trach said that the suspension of receiving domestic waste at the WTA in Bau Can commune caused the district's domestic waste to be transferred to the waste treatment plant in Quang Trung commune. (Thong Nhat district). Longer transportation distance, higher waste treatment cost and make it difficult for the locality to check and supervise the waste treatment after returning to the factory.

Regarding the environmental issue, Mr. Truong Cong Diem, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bau Can commune (Long Thanh district) said that local people commented that there are 2 large-scale garbage treatment areas in the commune, every day, hundreds of tons of waste of all kinds are transported here for treatment, but their domestic waste has to be processed in other places; WTA in Bau Can commune has reduced bad smell since stopping receiving domestic waste, but there is still waste scattered on the road during transportation.

“Bau Can commune currently has nearly 20,000 people, but in the next 5-10 years it may increase to 50,000 people. Many urban areas, commercial areas, middle and high-class residential areas are formed along the banks of Long Thanh airport, is it reasonable for 2 landfills to be present? That is not to mention the risk of environmental pollution and traffic accidents that may occur during the transportation of garbage.” – Mr. Diem gave his question.

At the recent meeting with departments, agencies and localities, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Chanh said that the overall planning and construction progress must be reviewed and re-evaluated; also for treatment technology; demand for land use; and compliance with WTA's environmental conditions. It is necessary to recommend adjustment of the WTA plan to suit the actual development of the airport's vicinity and the goal of reducing landfilling in the province's centralized waste treatment facilities. “Departments, branches and localities have to work seriously, proposing suitable plans to both create conditions for businesses to operate and ensure harmonious development of the economy - society - environment” – PPC Vice Chairman emphasized.

Phan Anh