Thai Binh: 6 lessons learned from implementation of a waste treatment model

Instructing people on the technique of turning the compost pile from straw

To solve the problemn, one of the possible measures to be applied is to separate domestic waste at source.

Being aware of this, responding to the emulation movement to jointly build a new countryside (NTM), in February 2022, the Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations coordinated with 3 communes including: Binh Dinh (Kien Xuong), Tay Ninh (Tien Hai) and Minh Quang (Vu Thu) implemented the model of household waste collection, classification and treatment. Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations collected data, compiled documents and organized training for 630 households in 03 communes. Participating in the training, participants were supported with waste sorting materials including: inorganic waste containers, recycling bins, compost bins and waste treatment products; provided basic knowledge and information on rural-environment related issues; obligations and responsibilities of the population community in environmental protection; be guided on the collection and classification of waste at source and on techniques of microbial composting using biological products according to household scale in gardens and fields. Village headmen and self-managing groups in communes are also equipped knowledge on rural environment related issues ensuring the process of replicating the model when it is appropriate.

Up to now, after nearly one year of implementation, the pilot model built in 03 communes has brought into play positive effects. In the households participating in the model, the amount of waste discharged into the environment has decreased by over 60%. This decrease has gradually increased over the months. The monthly amount of garbage collected in villages and communes with households participating in the model also decreased by over 45%. As a result, villages and communes save costs in handling domestic waste. Applying the model, households' awareness of waste separation at source has been improved, helping to keep the living environment clean in the community. The model also helps to take advantage of the source of organic waste that is composted into microbial fertilizers to fertilize crops in production, increase fertility, and help the soil recover nutrients in a sustainable way; contribute to fulfill environmental criteria in building advanced new countryside, model new countryside.

In particular, the recycled waste collected from households, the Women's Union of Binh Dinh Commune also successfully launched the "midwife" movement, giving a monthly support package worth 1,200,000 VND to the poor, supporting and encouraging orphans and disadvantaged children in the commune to make more efforts to overcome difficulties in their life and study. This is a social activity with a very humane meaning from the seemingly small actions of people in sorting garbage.

To achieve the above achievement, Thai Binh Provincial Union of Associations has drawn a number of lessons learned as follows:

Firstly, it is necessary to develop an implementation plan, set clear goals in the process of implementing the model with specific steps. Actively learn the reality in the locality that needs to be implemented in order to make changes closely to the circumstances of each commune, thereby strengthening the inspection and guidance when implementing the model.

Secondly, identifying information and propaganda as the decisive factor, the Union of Associations actively innovated the content and methods of training, equipping people with the most concise, useful and practical knowledge related to the implementation of the model, guiding people to practice the process of classification and composting right in class so that "hearing, seeing, taking action" manner will make participants remember carefully and deeply understand the waste classification at the source then practice as a habit in their everyday life. In particular, the Union also integrates technology and transfers training knowledge through QR codes printed on trash cans so that when needed, people will scan the code to self-check the implementation of their composting process, ensuring correct technique and effective.

Thirdly, focusing on the coordination of activities between the Union of Associations and authorities at all levels; promoting the consensus and solidarity among the Party committees, authorities, mass organizations and people in the commune; strengthening the close coordination between the parties participating in the model: households - collectors - mass organizations, commune authorities; emphasizing the role of direct supervision of garbage classification by each staff member of the collection team. In the spirit of voluntary participation, each household agrees to sign a commitment to implement the model and with the policy and the close direction of associations and commune authorities.

Fourthly, there is timely encouragement and reward for collectives and individuals with excellent achievements in the process of implementing the model that creates a driving force for the model's effects to spread far and wide in the community. Simultaneously, taking strict measures to handle cases of violations causing environmental pollution in the spirit of the Law on Environmental Protection (effective from January 1, 2022). Accordingly, implementing mandatory classification of waste at households and charging waste by volume. Households that do not classify will not be collected; If a household does sort, the amount of recyclable waste after sorting will be collected free of charge, otherwise, a fee amount will be charged for the entire amount of waste generated.

Fifthly, for the effective implementation of the model, ensuring the initial funding for the implementation of the model is essential. Along with that is the socialization of activities from the stakeholders (government, households) so that the whole community can join hands and participate in making the implementation and application of the model long-term and sustainable.

Sixthly, each commune, depending on the characteristics of the locality, needs to develop regulations on waste collection and treatment, bringing environmental protection into the village convention, at the same time, implementing specific solutions to protect the environment, raising people's awareness of environment protection.

In the coming time, on the basis of the lessons learned, the Union will continue to replicate the model of sorting and treating waste at source, contributing to the successful construction of an enhanced new rural area, model new countryside in the province.