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

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3R Gap Analysis and Findings
E-WASTE
Vietnam is expected to become a leading transit
point for e-waste in Asia. It is not clear how
much of the actual disposal will take place in
Vietnam. However, the amount of e-waste
salvaging is expected to increase significantly.
In the present condition, no in-depth e-waste
management research in Vietnam has been
performed.
Under Vietnam’s Law on Environmental
Protection, wastes are defined as “substances
discharged from daily life, production
processes or other activities. Wastes may take a
solid, gaseous, liquid or other forms”. The
import and export of wastes is also prohibited
by law. However, there are instances when the
restrictions are relaxed at the request of
producers wishing to use certain recyclable
wastes as raw materials. The ban on exports of
wastes has also affected business activity.
Technical guidelines on imports and exports of
used goods were issued as a Ministry of
Science, Technology and Environment
Ministerial Decree in 1998, but were abolished
in 2003.
Trade in used electric and electronic goods is
currently unrestricted. The area around Ton
That Dam Street in Ho Chi Minh City is lined
with businesses selling imported used PCs.
Meanwhile, used Japanese radios and audio
equipment are on sale in Hanoi. Secondhand
construction equipment from Japan and Korea
is being sold in large quantities along national
highways on the outskirts of Hanoi and Ho Chi
Minh City.
Findings
There is no reliable data available on quantity
and nature of e-waste. However, some statistics
in the country confirm a high magnitude of
hazardous waste.
The Vietnamese internal electronics industry is
sluggish, but growing. Except for a few IT
majors who operate manufacturing facilities in
Vietnam, the country lacks a significant market
in high-technology exports. The limited size of
the domestic electronics industry indicates that
domestic production accounts for very little ewaste.
Furthermore, the number of personal
computers is relatively small even though it
continues to grow at a double digit pace.
The Vietnamese government has started
recognizing the need to balance industrial
growth with proper disposal of hazardous
waste. Major cities have made industrial waste
control and management as top priorities for
their urban development strategies. For
instance, Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities have
started a relocation program to move polluting
factories from residential areas to other
regulated zones or industrial parks.
GAPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 3R
Worldwide, experience indicates that applying
3R can be a lucrative way to tackle waste
management issues. The first step in this
exercise is an assessment of the technology
options available for implementing 3R-based
solutions. Proactive policies and relevant
legislation emphasizing 3R-based solutions are
vital to achieve a higher success rate to form
the next step. While recycling is considered as
a technological approach, reduction and reuse
are often considered management or policyoriented.
In this context, the following sections
present information on the technology and
management aspects with a focus on 3R
respectively.
TECHNOLOGY GAPS
Vietnam’s solid waste management needs are
substantial in relation to existing capacity and
the continued growth of urban areas and
industrial development. Without undertaking
the necessary measures to establish effective
handling, treatment, and disposal systems, the
growing quantities of waste can have various
impacts, from increased health risks to
environmental degradation.
MANAGEMENT ASPECTS
Vietnam has been able to achieve amazing
growth rates with the help of proactive policies
and preventive legislation. As a country built
on communist principles, Vietnam has stronger
than average policy and management
frameworks aimed at overall national
development. Though the country has better
policies compared to its counterparts in the
region, an assessment of policy, legislative and
management aspects is essential to understand
the present situation.