A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

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3R Gap Analysis and Findings
agriculture. If not appropriately managed, the
toxic, carcinogenic, hazardous healthcare, and
other hazardous properties of this waste pose
significant threats to public health and the
environment.
About 80% of the 2.6 million tons of industrial
waste generated each year comes from
industrial centers in the North and South. Ho
Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces
generate nearly 50% of the country’s industrial
waste, while 30% is generated in the North
Coast–Red River Delta region. Additionally,
the nearly 1,500 craft villages, predominantly
found in rural areas in the North, produce
774,000 tons/yr of non-hazardous waste. Issues
related to waste management are diverse and
differ based on various aspects from generation
patterns to treatment and disposal
technologies, to intensity of problems created.
However, this study focuses primarily on
urban municipal wastes, healthcare and ewaste.
Essentially, this gap analysis attempts to
investigate and present the current state of
generation, characteristics, technologies,
policies and legislation for the focal sectors:
urban municipal, healthcare and e-waste.
URBAN MUNICIPAL WASTE
In Vietnam, urban areas contain a meager 24%
of the country’s population, but produce over
six million tons, (50%) of the country’s
Solid Waste Generation Profile of Vietnam
INDICATOR
municipal waste. This is due to the more
affluent lifestyles, larger quantity of
commercial activities, and more intense
industrialization found in urban areas. These
activities also increase the proportion of
hazardous waste (such as batteries and
household solvents) and non-degradable waste
(such as plastic, metal, and glass) found in
urban waste.
Findings
Municipal solid waste generation (tons/yr)
• National
• Urban areas
• Rural areas
Hazardous waste produced by industries (tons/yr)
Non-hazardous waste produced by industries (tons/yr)
Municipal waste generation (kg per capita/day)
• National
• Urban areas
• Rural areas
Collection of waste (% of waste generated)
• National
• Rural areas
• Among urban poor
No. of solid waste disposal facilities
• Dumps and poorly operated landfills
• Sanitary landfills
Capacity for hazardous healthcare treatment (% of total)
Source: VEM, 2004
Packaging waste is becoming more popular and
difficult to decompose. The proportion of
packaging waste to total waste is also on the
rise. Vietnam is accelerating its
industrialization and modernization processes
and experiencing rapid urbanization. People
tend to use more and more packaging of
various kinds and most are nylon-based and
difficult to decompose. Consequently, nondegradable
waste will assume a larger
proportion of urban solid waste and make it
more hazardous.
As a result of changing consumption patterns,
the proportion of nylon bags and packaging is
on the rise, increasing the amount of recyclable
items. The amount of recyclable waste in
Hanoi was nearly 5.5% in 1995 and 29% in 2003.
Higher amounts of recyclable waste is also
noted in other major cities. This presents an
VALUE
12,800,000
6,400,000
6,400,000
128,400
2,510,000
0.4
0.7
0.3
71%