A technical cooperation project (3R-HN) is creating a recycling community in Hanoi URENCO, where waste is separated and then collected or composted. Environment education activities complement urban planning efforts, while organic waste is used to produce fertiliser.

Rapid economic development and urbanization in Vietnam have led to an increase in solid waste, especially in cities.

In 2003, the country produced 15 million tons of waste each year, of which cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City produced at least 12.8 million tons.

A large portion of this waste is food waste. In Hanoi, approximately 53.8 to 60.8 percent of municipal solid waste is food waste and about 30 percent of waste is spread on public roads, it has not been illegally collected or dumped in lakes and ponds, causing poor drainage and groundwater contamination.

The reduction of solid waste and recycling are being promoted as part of a national strategy by the Vietnamese government, but in Hanoi the infrastructures to do so are lacking.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) therefore implemented this technical cooperation project (3R-HN) toward creating a recycling community with cooperation from Hanoi Urban Environment Company (Hanoi URENCO) and related agencies.

Under 3R-HN, four model areas were being created in Hanoi, where waste was separated and then collected or composted. Environmental education activities were also being carried out to teach Hanoi citizens the Japanese concept of “mottainai” or the importance of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recyle).

Based on the results of the separation and collection project in the model districts, a strategic paper was being prepared toward improving the urban garbage collection system through discussion by a wide range of stakeholders and organization of the “3R Stars".

It is hoped that 3R-HN will put the 3Rs into practice in Hanoi and contribute toward the creation of a recycling-oriented community.

So far, it was estimated that about 60 tons organic fertilizer were produced by the method of production of micro-biological organic compost from organic waste including kitchen waste, vegetable and fruits.

Photo by Kinga Lopatinon Unsplash