Ha Noi’s Rural Environment Hygiene and Safe Water Centre last Saturday (24 Oct) announced a plan to build four new waste treatment centres in the districts of Soc Son, Chuong My and Phu Xuyen for the city’s suburban areas.

The suburban districts will also have waste dumping sites.

On average, more than 5,500 tonnes of domestic waste is created by the city’s citizens every day. However, nearly 70 per cent of the city’s communes do not have any dumping areas or waste treatment centres, according to statistics from the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Lai Hong Khanh, head of the city’s Populisation and Education Committee, said that the relevant authorities had agreed that in addition to setting up more dumping areas and waste treatment centres, it was necessary to apply strict punishment for dumping rubbish in unauthorised areas.

The city already has fine levels established of VND100,000-300,000 (USD5.5-16.7) for households discovered depositing or discharging rubbish in the wrong place, and a fine of VND5-10 million (USD277-555) can be assessed for those scattering waste while transporting it.

Khanh said that strict punishments and increasing the awareness of citizens were necessary to increase environmental protection.

New decree

In an attempt to stop the production and trade of illegal chemicals, the Government has just published a decree regulating punishments for violators.

Individuals and organisations which produce, trade, or use illegal chemicals, as well as use chemicals without clear origins, will be fined VND10-20 million (USD555-1,110).

Fines of VND25-35 million (USD1,380-1,940) will be meted out to those discharging partially-treated chemical waste into the environment. Those found discharging illegal chemicals without any treatment will be fined VND70-100 million (USD3,800-5,500).

In addition to the administrative fines, violators will be forced to solve the environment effects caused by their discharged chemicals. If they repeat violations, their business licence will be revoked.