Turning waste into resources, building a circular economy

This afternoon, June 4, at the question and answer session of the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha clarified a number of issues of concern to delegates.

After Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh answered questions from National Assembly deputies, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha clarified further issues on construction materials, rare earths, solid waste management, and hazardous waste from an inter-sectoral, inter-regional, and inter-local perspective.

Sand materials will be well resolved.

Regarding the issue of construction materials, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, there are regulations on decentralization to localities, but due to problems with processes and procedures, decentralization is still delayed and takes a long time. Minerals will currently be divided into 4 groups, in which the group of common construction materials will have simplified procedures, continuing to implement thorough decentralization.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha: Turning waste into resources, building a circular economy

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that we are determined not to export raw rare earths - CP Photo

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that from now until the Law on Minerals takes effect, the National Assembly will also issue resolutions allowing specific mechanisms, including those related to extending and increasing the capacity of mines and simplifying procedures. These issues are being implemented quite well, especially for solutions for areas facing difficulties in construction materials.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that currently, the Ministry of Transport has researched, evaluated and tested the source of sea sand and issued technical standards and guidelines on exploitation technology, filling technology, assessment of physical properties, material strength and environmental impact. According to the test results of the Ministry of Transport, we have controlled the environmental issue, with negligible impact on the environment.

In addition, the Government has issued Decree No. 57/2024/ND-CP on the management of dredging activities in seaport waters and inland waterway waters. Accordingly, it has simultaneously solved two goals: for inland seaports, rivers, and canals, it is assigned to localities to assess, investigate, and exploit to clear routes and at the same time take advantage of this material. Thus, with many synchronous solutions, in the coming time, the problem of sand materials for projects will be well resolved, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

Opportunities to attract investment from rare earth

Regarding the issue of rare earths, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha cited the assessment of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) saying that the total amount of rare earths in Vietnam accounts for 18% of the world's, including heavy and light rare earths.

In fact, the rare earth market has grown by about 4% per year since 2014 due to the demand for use in the fields of batteries, magnets, electric vehicles, and aerospace applications. However, this is also a very complex market, mainly dominated by large countries. Therefore, the exploitation of this rare earth has been closely directed by the Government.

Accordingly, there has been a pilot project to investigate and evaluate the reserves and composition of rare earths, determine the principle of exploitation based on market supply and demand; meet the selection technology (with a rate of 99%). We are determined not to export raw rare earths, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized. In addition, it is necessary to promote the development of industrial sectors that have a need to use rare earths, thereby ensuring a more sustainable supply and demand, and this is also an opportunity to attract investment.

Do not use landfill

Regarding the management of solid waste and hazardous waste, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 is very comprehensive, complete and specific. From January 1, 2025, the regulation on mandatory waste classification at source will take effect, requiring careful preparation of public awareness and responsibility of management agencies, especially localities, in determining the conversion of waste into resources, building a circular economy, and absolutely not using landfills.

The problem of sorting, reusing, and converting waste into energy is an effective solution. Relevant laws have considered waste treatment as a public service of the state. The problem is to choose investors and technology and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issues unit prices. From there, we will choose the best investor to solve this problem.

The problem, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, is to let people sort waste at the source, thereby making waste treatment simpler. Next is to treat long-standing landfills using a public-private partnership model; treatment and renovation will apply appropriate technology.

Regarding medical waste treatment, the law has provisions, Decree 08 of the Government has specified, as well as the Circular of the Ministry of Health has issued criteria for green, clean, and environmentally friendly medical facilities.

In particular, the Deputy Prime Minister noted a number of issues, including standards for incinerator-related equipment, non-combustion treatment equipment to address pollution, pathogens, and wastewater treatment. In addition, there must be a financial mechanism for commune-level and local health facilities to carry out this task.

We encourage not to use incineration but to use pathogen treatment methods. We do not encourage small facilities to treat on-site but only to preliminarily treat pathogens, viruses, and bacteria, then transfer to a centralized treatment facility, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

BT.

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