A recent survey of the council shows a high level of environment pollution in many parts of the city. Notably, poor State management, low public awareness of environmental protection in residential areas, and waste discharge are to blame, Tam said at an extraordinary session on waste management and environmental protection issues in the city on June 11.

Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said the city is facing three pressing environmental issues, namely nearly 1.8 million cubic meters of wastewater discharged a day, emissions from 7.9 million vehicles, mostly motorcycles, and 839 industrial facilities, and around 8,300 tons of solid waste.

Each day, over 1.9 million households in the city release around 3,480 tons of trash into the environment, accounting for 42% of the total, while manufacturing, trading and service facilities discharge 3,360 tons. The remaining volume of garbage is dumped into canals, streets, parks and bus stations.

The city aims to reduce the waste burial ratio to less than 60% by 2020 compared to the current 76%. In which, Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) treats 5,500 tons daily at Da Phuoc Integrated Waste Management Facility at the price of US$20.9 per ton, Vietstar Lemna Company handles 1,500 tons of waste to make composite fertilizer at US$19 per ton, Tam Sinh Nghia Company tackles 1,300 tons at US$20.38 each and HCMC Urban Environment Company processes 500 tons at VND360,000 (US$15.8) each.

There have been problems in collection and treatment of solid waste such as outdated collection and transport, and poor treatment. Notably, the city heavily depends on the burial method, which requires spacious locations, emits odor and leaks wastewater.

According to Thang, waste discharge in the city is estimated at over 10,000 tons a day by 2020, or an annual increase of 5%, and nearly 13,000 tons a day by 2025. Meanwhile, the city aims to reduce the burial ratio to 20% by 2025.

Council member Nguyen Manh Tri at the meeting proposed supporting policies such as a garbage collection fee reduction for households who abide by the waste classification rules.

Meanwhile, council member Vo Thanh Luan suggested strict measures against those failing to implement the regulations and littering in public places. Besides, he said local authorities should speed up investment in advanced waste treatment technology and reduce burial.

Another council member, Phan Thi Hong Xuan, said the government should adopt waste treatment models in regional countries like Singapore.

SGT