The garbage collection point is causing pollution and occupying the road and sidewalk.

Recently, the press and public opinion have continuously reported the situation of some central streets of Ho Chi Minh City being encroached upon, the roadway and sidewalks being used as garbage collection points, causing pollution and loss of urban beauty. Not only that, the situation of garbage trucks parked along some inner-city streets also affects traffic. However, to date, this situation has not changed.

Avoid the garbage truck!

The side of the high-rise building at 432-434 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ban Co Ward, has long been "occupied" as a garbage transfer point. Garbage collection carts are piled haphazardly on the sidewalk and in the street, with leachate from the trash cans dripping down, creating an unpleasant odor for passersby. The Saigon Giai Phong newspaper has reported on this issue many times, but the situation has not improved. Recently, around midday, about six garbage carts were seen on the sidewalk and in the street, with various types of garbage being sorted by sanitation workers, creating a very messy and polluting scene.

For many years, garbage trucks have been haphazardly parked on both the sidewalk and the road beside the high-rise building at 432-434 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ban Co Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (photo taken at noon on July 3). Photo: Thanh Hien

Near the intersection of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Tran Quoc Thao streets (Xuan Hoa ward), there are often 5-7 garbage collection vehicles parked along the road. Tran Van Son, a motorbike taxi driver in the area, said: “I find it very difficult for pedestrians to pass through this area. Many people have to walk very close to the road to avoid the garbage trucks, and if they are not careful, they could easily fall. The sight of these garbage trucks parked here is really unsightly and detracts from the urban landscape.”

At the intersection of Nguyen Du and Cach Mang Thang Tam streets (Ben Thanh ward), garbage trucks are often parked, occupying part of the road. An employee of the District 1 Public Service Company Limited stated that the garbage trucks park there for convenient transportation to the processing facility.

At the intersection of Le Thi Hong Gam and Calmette streets (Ben Thanh ward), numerous garbage trucks are parked. The trucks are covered in thick black mud, and even household waste, after being loaded and transported away, remains scattered. Many residents say that the large number of garbage trucks parked there not only obstructs traffic but also causes environmental pollution, constantly emitting a very unpleasant odor.

Meanwhile, on Ham Nghi Street (Saigon Ward) on the morning of July 4th, there were two garbage collection points along the route, each with 3-4 trucks parked on the sidewalk and in the road. At noon that same day, a reporter contacted the Saigon Ward People's Committee to report the situation of garbage trucks encroaching on the road and sidewalk on Ham Nghi Street. Immediately after receiving the information, the ward leaders conducted an inspection and requested the garbage collection unit to move the trucks elsewhere. However, on the morning of July 5th, when we visited the site, the garbage trucks were still parked in the road.

Lack of systematic planning

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Huynh Van Tam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vuon Lai Ward, said that the ward acknowledges the feedback from Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper and will conduct an inspection and take corrective action. Similarly, the People's Committee of Ban Co Ward also acknowledges the incident and will investigate and handle it.

According to a representative of the Saigon Ward People's Committee, the ward will direct the garbage trucks to be neatly arranged and regularly cleaned after each shift, ensuring that pedestrians are not obstructed. At the same time, the ward will regularly remind the garbage collection unit and receive feedback from residents to ensure environmental hygiene.

However, the problem lies in the way the ward authorities handle the situation—quick action to address the issue—and the crucial element is fundamental planning to protect the environment and urban aesthetics. According to a representative from the District 1 Public Service Company, residents don't dispose of garbage all at once; each person disposes at different times, so garbage collection vehicles (handcarts) have to park along the streets. Furthermore, staff must be constantly on standby to collect any unexpected garbage generated by residents.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Thong, Deputy Director of the District 10 Public Service Company, also stated that because the area lacks a waste transfer station, waste from households, markets, etc., is collected at designated points along certain roads with the approval of the local authorities.

"Parking in these locations is generally unsuitable, but currently the company doesn't have land to create a centralized parking area. The solution in the future will depend on the city and local planning," Mr. Thong explained.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Tran Nguyen, Deputy Director of the District 3 Public Service Company, explained: "The company has also proposed to conduct a trial using some points on the sidewalk to build waste collection points that meet technical requirements, plant trees for isolation, erect fences, and build a drainage system… However, the project has not yet been approved."

Associate Professor Dr. Phung Chi Si, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection:

Central districts are characterized by numerous narrow alleys that large garbage trucks cannot access. Therefore, garbage collection units are forced to use handcarts to collect garbage from households and transport it to temporary collection points. These collection points are usually authorized by the local authorities. If the collection unit ensures environmental hygiene both before and after garbage collection and transportation, this can be understandable.

However, if environmental hygiene is not ensured, the authorities must intervene and take action. Meanwhile, the encroachment on sidewalks and roadsides for parking garbage collection vehicles is against regulations, and the authorities need to find solutions to address it.

THANH HIEN - MINH HAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/diem-tap-ket-rac-gay-o-nhiem-chiem-long-duong-via-he-post803006.html