Solutions for collecting, classifying and treating solid waste on Con Co Island

The management, classification and collection of domestic solid waste (MSW) to promote the reuse and recycling of waste and discarded products, maximize the value, extend the life cycle of products and materials, and minimize the amount of waste that needs to be treated is currently a difficult problem to solve in both urban and rural areas. For a special locality like Con Co Island, in order to effectively implement the model of collecting, classifying and treating MSW, it is necessary to have the synchronous cooperation of all levels, functional sectors and especially the awareness of people living on the island as well as tourists to the island district.

Forces mobilized to collect waste on Con Co Island - Photo: Provided by the Center for Natural Resources and Environment

Within the framework of the conference to disseminate models of reducing plastic waste, classifying solid waste at source, promoting existing and typical models in Vietnam, organized by the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) in coordination with the People's Committee of Con Co island district, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Tri, and the World Wildlife Fund in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam) in Con Co island district at the end of August, the issue of concern was the model of collecting, classifying and treating solid waste in the island district. This is considered a positive solution to contribute to effectively treating the amount of solid waste, keeping the environment on the island green, clean and beautiful.

Currently, on Con Co Island, the amount of waste generated is about 0.01 tons/day. Residential areas, administrative agencies, armed forces and construction works are mainly concentrated in one place, thus generating a large amount of solid waste.

Although the environmental sanitation team has collected waste periodically and transported it to the designated location, the treatment of domestic waste and solid waste still faces many difficulties. In 2023, the amount of collected, transported and treated domestic waste on Con Co Island was 36 tons. Waste is treated by burning at a centralized incinerator.

This is the source of toxic emissions and odors that affect human health and the environment.

On the other hand, the collection, transportation and treatment of waste on the island still has many limitations such as waste not being classified at the source, the large proportion of plastic waste makes the treatment process difficult. In addition, waste in some public places and tourist attractions during the tourist season has not been thoroughly collected, beach waste is generated in large quantities, and the collection frequency is low.

Determining that environmental protection is important and contributes to keeping the island green, clean and beautiful, the People's Committee of Con Co island district has issued regulations on environmental protection and natural resources in the area.

In 2009, the district established an environmental sanitation team under the Con Co Island Fishing Port Management Board (now the District Service and Tourism Center). By 2016, the island district had invested in building a centralized waste treatment area from the environmental protection fund. Since 2017, the district has implemented a self-managed coastal model, assigning agencies and units to proactively clean and keep the coast clean.

In recent years, the locality has paid special attention to propaganda, education and awareness raising activities on environmental protection. In 2023, the island district organized well activities in response to World Environment Day, World Oceans Day, Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, along with promoting environmental sanitation, waste collection and treatment.

At the conference to disseminate models for reducing plastic waste, classifying solid waste at source, promoting existing and typical models in Vietnam, the units proposed a model for collecting, classifying and treating solid waste on Con Co island including the following stages: classifying waste at households, utilizing food waste as compost, producing household biogas; recycling plastic waste and the process of burning inorganic waste and non-recyclable waste.

Accordingly, for the stage of waste classification at households, the model guides people to have the habit of classifying waste for waste that can be reused and recycled such as waste paper, waste plastic, waste metal, fabric, leather, wood, glass, rubber, electronic equipment. Food waste including spoiled vegetables and fruits, pre-processed food, leftover food... will be used as compost.

To help households know how to produce biogas at home, the model has instructed people to utilize the input materials for the product as waste from food, fruits, vegetables, food, meat, fish... left over after eating or during processing, leftover drinks such as beer, wine, soft drinks...

Instruct people on how to make a biogas tank to treat organic waste at home in the form of a closed cylinder, with two doors at both ends, one door for garbage, one door for liquid organic fertilizer, used to fertilize plants...

To effectively implement the model, it is necessary to invest synchronously in machinery, equipment, and tools to collect and process classified waste. Widely disseminate to the people about the regulations on classifying solid waste at source, popularize and guide people on how to classify solid waste at source, how to compost, utilize organic waste to make biogas, and utilize energy for cooking in households.

Implementing the model of classifying, collecting and treating solid waste in Con Co island district not only has environmental significance but also brings economic benefits. Every small action contributes significantly to join hands in protecting the environment on the island, keeping the island green, clean and beautiful to attract more and more tourists to visit and relax.

Aquarius

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/giai-phap-thu-gom-phan-loai-va-xu-ly-chat-thai-ran-tai-dao-con-co-188383.htm