Domestic solid waste and environmental pollution risks

Household solid waste and the risk of environmental pollution.

Officials from the Environmental Department of the Department of Agriculture and Environment guide residents on the process of collecting, sorting, and disposing of household waste.

According to surveys and statistics from relevant authorities, the amount of household solid waste generated in the province is estimated at approximately 3,000 tons per day/night. The collection and processing rate of this waste is over 92%, primarily through incineration and manual landfilling. Meanwhile, many waste disposal sites in the province are overloaded, significantly impacting the living environment, such as the waste disposal site in Sam Son ward and the waste disposal site in Bim Son ward.

In particular, plastic waste accounts for approximately 9% of the total amount of household solid waste generated. The burning and landfilling of this type of waste have negative impacts on the environment, especially on soil, water, and air.

Studies and analyses have shown that pure PVC plastic contains approximately 49% chlorine. Burning PVC plastic releases toxic halogens, which can also bind to and transport pollutants in the air. Burning plastic bags or any type of plastic outdoors can produce dioxins, furans, and other harmful substances. In particular, manual plastic recycling, such as burning plastic-coated cables to recover metals, can release toxic chemicals into the environment. By-products of plastic combustion include fly ash particles released into the air and solid ash residue (black carbon), which can affect human health and the environment.

To mitigate the impact of solid waste on the environment, many practical activities have been implemented, such as organizing workshops to share information, knowledge, and experience in sorting household solid waste and treating food waste at the source; establishing and maintaining many environmental protection models such as "Families with 5 'haves' and 3 'clean's", "Exchanging waste for green plants or useful items", "Collecting, sorting, and recycling waste into useful items"...

In many localities, Party committees, authorities, and mass organizations have actively participated in guiding and mobilizing people to sort waste at source and limit the use of single-use plastic and nylon products. Through this, the awareness and responsibility of people in sorting and processing waste at source have gradually changed, contributing to reducing the amount of waste transported for processing. In particular, in response to World Environment Day every year, the Provincial People's Committee issues action plans with many important contents and tasks assigned to various sectors and localities for implementation, such as organizing propaganda and educational activities to raise awareness among all levels, departments, organizations, and the people about the importance of environmental protection, the harmful effects of solid waste, plastic waste, and nylon bags on life.

For example, in response to World Environment Day and the 2025 Environmental Action Month with the theme "Combating Plastic Pollution," the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD) coordinated with local authorities to organize a training course on sorting and reducing plastic waste, composting biodegradable waste into fertilizer, and minimizing waste requiring treatment for 200 households in Hoang Cat commune (now Hoang Son commune). At the training course, representatives from the Environmental Department (DARD) informed officials and residents about the current state of household waste generation, waste collection and treatment activities in the province; and the impact of plastic waste on the environment and daily life. They also disseminated knowledge on environmental protection, daily household waste treatment, and guided residents on the process of collecting, sorting, and treating household waste; and techniques for fermenting household waste into organic fertilizer for agricultural production.

According to Deputy Head of the Environmental Department Nguyen Thi Thuy, this is useful information that contributes to improving people's knowledge and skills in environmental protection, aiming for a green, clean lifestyle in harmony with nature and preserving the living environment for future generations.

These practical activities demonstrate the concern and involvement of all levels and sectors in the collection and treatment of household solid waste to minimize the impact of waste on the environment. However, many shortcomings and limitations in this activity have not been thoroughly addressed. Notably, many landfills are overloaded compared to their initial design capacity. In particular, according to the assessment of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, during operation, many landfills in the province have not fully and correctly implemented the technical procedures for sanitary landfilling. There is still a situation where collected waste is not dumped in the correct location, leveled, compacted, and covered with soil; The failure to build a complete leachate collection and treatment system has led to an increase in flies, mosquitoes, and foul odors at the landfill site, affecting the living environment of the surrounding area... This also means that, if no measures are taken to treat and reduce the daily amount of solid waste generated, the risk of widespread environmental pollution is unavoidable.

Text and photos: Phong Sac

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chat-thai-ran-sinh-hoat-and-nguy-co-o-nhiem-moi-truong-254149.htm