Every day, Khanh Hoa generates about 226 tons of plastic waste.

At the workshop, Mr. Vo Van Ngan, Deputy Head of the Department of Minerals and Environmental Protection (Department of Agriculture and Environment of the province) said that with an area of over ^8,555km2 and a population of 2.24 million people, Khanh Hoa province faces significant challenges in managing solid waste and plastic waste generated from tourism , production, construction and daily life activities....

Garbage overflows along the shore of Binh Ba Island (Nam Cam Ranh Commune) in November 2023. Photo: HIEU GIANG

According to statistics, the total amount of solid waste generated in the province is about 1,884 tons/day (687,660 tons/year); the total amount of plastic waste in Khanh Hoa is about 226 tons/day (more than 3kg/person/month)...

This is a number that needs attention because it is growing every day, every month due to modern consumer habits with fast, cheap, convenient items, most of which are discarded after one use - while the capacity to collect, classify at source, and recycle still has many shortcomings and limitations....

Plastic waste mixed with water hyacinth, wood... washed up on Nha Trang beach after the flood in December 2024. Photo: HIEU GIANG

The leader of the Department of Minerals and Environmental Protection informed that currently, Khanh Hoa province has an urban solid waste collection rate of 97% (by 2024), but most of the collected waste is still treated by landfill, while landfills are overloaded or do not ensure environmental hygiene.

Despite the determination in policy, the implementation in practice still faces many limitations, creating a contradiction between collection efficiency and actual treatment capacity. This is the result of the lack of sustainable treatment causing problems with plastic waste pollution, such as limited public awareness; limited classification and treatment systems; incomplete policies and sanctions from management agencies, etc.

Representative of Nha Trang Bay Management Board presents a speech. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Representatives of Nha Trang Bay Management Board said that plastic waste in the bay comes from a number of sources from the mainland such as islands, fishing ports, riverside residential areas, aquaculture and fishing activities, tourism... In addition, during the rainy season, plastic waste from the mainland flows out of the river, affecting the marine ecosystem and the bay environment...

A representative of the Department of Industry and Trade said that single-use plastic and nylon bags are still widely used in the fields of production, business and trade. The reason is because of their low cost, ease of purchase, and convenience; while alternative products are expensive and scarce... Although some manufacturing enterprises have paid attention to biological and recycled packaging, the application rate is still low due to high costs and unsynchronized technology...

According to the representative of the Farmers' Association of Khanh Hoa province, in agricultural production, fertilizer packaging, pesticide bottles, plastic film... when discarded haphazardly, pollutes soil and water sources, hinders the growth of crops, reduces productivity and quality of agricultural products, and increases production costs. Farmers are in frequent contact with plastic waste, especially chemical bottles, which also directly affect their health...

Plastic bottles collected at Bich Dam island village (Nha Trang ward) in March 2025. Photo: HIEU GIANG

At the workshop, delegates discussed and proposed many solutions to reduce plastic waste, contributing to protecting human health and the ecosystem. The focus was on propaganda, mobilization, and calling on the community to change their behavior and habits of using disposable plastic products and hard-to-decompose nylon bags.

Strengthening supervision and handling of administrative violations in the collection, transportation, and treatment of domestic solid waste and littering (especially in crowded areas, tourist areas, seaports, fishing grounds, etc.); Encouraging businesses to innovate technology, use alternative materials to virgin plastic, increase recycling rates, and enjoy support and incentive policies according to regulations...

HIEU JIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/moi-ngay-khanh-hoa-phat-sinh-khoang-226-tan-rac-thai-nhua-post811585.html