Household waste collection and treatment unit price to be completed within one month

That was the requirement set by Member of the Dong Nai Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang during a working session with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DoARD), relevant departments, local authorities, and five enterprises on the management of household waste in the province held on the morning of August 20.

Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang delivers concluding remarks at the working session. Photo: Hoang Loc

According to the report by Deputy Director Tran Trong Toan of the DoARD, the province currently generates over 2,600 tons of household waste per day, of which about 79% is collected and treated according to regulations. The remaining waste is temporarily stored at plants and temporary landfills in Binh Phuoc province (former). Currently, there are two unit prices for household waste collection and transportation services, under Decision No. 03/2024/QD-UBND dated January 10, 2024 of Dong Nai province (former) and Decision No. 2155/QD-UBND dated October 16, 2019 of Binh Phuoc province (former).

The DoARD also reported that former Binh Phuoc province still has many temporary landfills; while in former Dong Nai province, there are three waste reception points and several transfer stations with remaining waste. Currently, two waste treatment facilities are at risk of exceeding capacity. After administrative boundary mergers, some transfer stations serve multiple localities, causing difficulties in management.

Deputy Director Tran Trong Toan of the DoARD reports on household waste management in the province. Photo: Hoang Loc

In response to this situation, the DoARD recommended the People’s Committee to direct wards and communes to proactively manage household waste locally; confirm waste volumes generated from July 1, 2024, as a basis for payment. Each locality is required to set up at least one household waste transfer station that meets construction and environmental regulations. Forty communes and wards in the former Binh Phuoc area must review and sign contracts for waste collection, transportation, and treatment with authorized units, while also developing plans to handle accumulated waste to prevent pollution. All communes and wards across the province should strengthen communication campaigns and encourage residents to sort waste at the source to reduce the volume that needs processing.

The DoARD also recommended that the province assign companies such as Tai Tien Trading Joint Stock Company, Phuc Thien Long Trading and Services Joint Stock Company, Cu Lao Xanh Limited Company… to urgently develop plans and participate in signing contracts for household waste treatment in the localities.

The DoARD will soon advise the Provincial People’s Committee to issue economic-technical norms for waste collection, transportation, and treatment; complete a draft resolution for the Provincial People’s Council to regulate delegated expenditure responsibilities for environmental protection. At the same time, it will continue to strictly manage and supervise waste treatment activities.

Leaders of Binh Phuoc Ward People’s Committee give opinions. Photo: Hoang Loc

At the working session, representatives of wards, communes, and enterprises raised issues regarding payment for waste treatment already carried out, unit prices for household waste collection, and signing framework contracts for waste treatment while waiting for official unit prices.

Leaders of the People’s Committee of Binh Long ward, Dong Nai province raise proposals. Photo: Hoang Loc

In her concluding remarks at the working session, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang largely agreed with the recommendations of the DoARD; meanwhile, she requested that in the coming period, all departments, agencies, and localities promote a sense of responsibility in state management of environmental affairs.

Key tasks assigned to the DoARD include preparing the unit price within one month; after approval by the Provincial People’s Committee, localities will organize tenders and sign contracts for waste transportation and treatment; review and adjust waste volumes to treatment areas to avoid exceeding capacity; and propose plans to handle temporary landfills.

Wards and communes in former Binh Phuoc province that had already tendered for transportation and treatment before the merger will continue to apply the old unit price until the new unit price is issued. Each ward and commune will arrange one transfer point to manage waste volumes locally.

The Department of Finance will review and guide payment for waste treatment costs already implemented. Household waste treatment facilities must have reception plans; if capacity is exceeded, they must promptly report for adjustments.

By: Hoang Loc

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha