Authorities of Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi will start a VND60 billion ($2.91 million) project to build a waste landfill in the outlying district of Ba Vi. Covering on a site of 5.5 hectares, the project will include the construction of a rubbish wastewater treatment system, power and water systems; fire fighting ones as well as other facilities. Total amount of solid household waste discharged in Hanoi is estimated at 5,000 tones per day. Of which, 750 tons come from industrial solid waste, including 60% treated, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment Pham Van Khanh said. Most of the rubbish is dumped or recycled at three rubbish dumps in outlying districts of Soc Son and Chuong My and of Son Tay town, or at waste treatment plants in the town and Tu Liem district. Meanwhile, up to 85%-90% of operating dumps had failed to meet sanitation standards, posing great threat to the environment and human health. To solve the problem, local authorities have invested in upgrading and expanding dumps and waste treatment plants, seeking to raise their capacity and use more modern technology to protect the environment, he added. Hanoi is likely to run out of room for garbage by 2012, he warned, adding that the rate of waste discharge is growing at a pace of 15% per annum. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi July 21, Kinh Te & Do Thi – Urban & Economy July 22)
