VietNamNet Bridge – The government of HCMC is concerned that Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) might become a monopoly in garbage treatment in the city if its integrated waste management facility in Binh Chanh District is allowed to bring in more garbage.

The city government said the Da Phuoc Integrated Waste Management Facility (DPIWMF) now handles around 3,000 tons of trash, making up 45% of the total volume discharged a day in the entire city.

Therefore, the company’s proposal to raise the daily volume it takes in to 10,000 tons could create monopolistic power in garbage treatment in the city because the city discharges a total of 6,700 tons of trash only, according to the city.

The city said if the proposal was approved, there would be no room for other companies to get involved in this sector.

The city government has written to the Department of Planning and Investment and VWS expressing its views on the company’s request for increasing the capacity of the Da Phuoc facility.

According to the city, the Da Phuoc facility has a landfill with a daily capacity of 2,500-3,000 tons of solid waste, a plant able to produce 100 tons of compost fertilizer a day, a zone to screen garbage for recycling with a daily capacity of 500 tons, and a port.

If VWS was allowed to get an additional 2,000 tons from the Phuoc Hiep landfill, the daily volume DPIWMF receives would surge to 5,000 tons, accounting for 75% of the total daily amount of waste in the city. This would violate the Competition Law, according to the city.

Increasing the capacity of the Da Phuoc facility would lead VWS to control the garbage treatment market, the city government said in the document.

DPIWMF covers 128 hectares and has total investment of US$90 million. The facility was licensed for 50-year operation, with the first 22 years for waste burying. The company would build a golf course and an entertainment complex in the area in the remaining 28 years.    

SGT