Sorting trash from small shops

Sorting waste at source is gradually becoming a habit for many residents and businesses in the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone. This habit helps reduce the pressure on waste collection and treatment, and limits pollution.

Ms. Lam Kim Tam - Artisan and founder of the Tam Nhu Hoa flower shop chain - sorts waste at the source. Photo: BICH LIEN

Despite the bustling daily business, Ms. Le Thi Kim Mau, owner of LeFarm flower shop in Phu Quoc, maintains a small but meaningful habit. After arranging and trimming flowers, she neatly sorts the leftover branches and leaves instead of mixing them with household waste. Organic waste is kept separate, allowing people to take it home for composting and planting. Non-biodegradable waste, such as plastic bags, is collected separately and disposed of in designated areas. This simple method not only keeps the surrounding area clean and reduces odors but also contributes to reducing environmental pressure. Ms. Mau said: “I sort waste into two categories: reusable and non-reusable. I usually leave the waste in front of the shop, and anyone who needs it can take it home. Because I rent the space, I don't have land for recycling, but I still try to sort it. Plastic bags are very difficult to reuse; if mixed with other waste, they easily cause odors and affect the environment.”

It's not just Ms. Mau; many flower shops, grocery stores, and vegetable and fruit stalls generate a significant amount of organic waste during their business operations. Aware of their responsibility to the environment, many households proactively sort their waste at the source, separating organic waste so that people can utilize it for composting or planting. These practical actions contribute to reducing the amount of waste released into the environment and simultaneously spread environmental awareness within the community. Ms. Huynh Thi Be Thy, owner of Thuy Duy Nguyen consumer goods store, shared: “I've been selling here for almost 10 years. If the vegetables rot or spoil, I feed them to the chickens or use them as fertilizer. Waste here is always sorted regularly; biodegradable waste is kept separately to reduce the burden on the environment.”

During holidays and festivals, increased shopping demand leads to a greater generation of organic waste. If not sorted and processed at the source, this organic waste easily causes unpleasant odors, pollutes the environment, and puts pressure on household waste collection and processing. Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Nhi, store manager of Tam Nhu Hoa Phu Quoc flower shop, said: “New employees are all instructed on waste sorting. Leaves and stems are kept to be used as fertilizer. Everyone has a responsibility in sorting waste to work together to protect the environment and keep the space greener and cleaner.”

When each citizen proactively sorts waste at the source, the living environment becomes greener and cleaner. Through these small actions, environmental awareness is gradually spreading throughout the community, contributing to the formation of a civilized and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

BICH LIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phan-loai-rac-tu-cua-tiem-nho-a481297.html