Hanoi to turn landfills into parks

At a Tuesday meeting with the people of Soc Son District on environmental issues, Tran Sy Thanh, chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said the Seraphin waste-to-energy plant at the Xuan Son solid waste treatment complex was expected to be completed in early 2024.

The plant will be capable of processing 2,500 tons of waste a day. Combined with the 4,000 tons a day capacity at the Thien Y waste treatment plant at the Nam Son landfill, Hanoi would no longer need to bury its trash.

Thanh said there have been investors who suggested digging out the buried trash in Nam Son and Xuan Son landfills to burn them. However, the city is requesting those with expertise to propose ways to deal with the buried trash.

"After dealing with all the buried trash, the waste treatment complexes would be turned into parks," he added.

Nguyen Huy Cuong, director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, said the Nam Son landfill's first phase had already been completed, while the second phase required certain spaces to be cleared. The third phase will involve planting trees and building a waste burning plant.

Pham Van Minh, chairman of the Soc Son District People's Committee, said the Nam Son landfill had certain issues, including around 1 million cubic meters of leachate. Despite the presence of waste treatment plants, the stench is persistent, especially during rainy seasons.

Minh has proposed the city complete the Thien Y waste-to-energy plant quickly and let it operate at full capacity to lessen trash burial.

Several residents have proposed Hanoi authorities not to expand the Nam Son landfill, now that there is a waste-to-energy plant. The city should consider land reclamation policies and help people with relocation instead.

Hanoi produces around 6,500-7,000 tons of trash a day. About 5,000 is processed at the Nam Son landfill, 1,500 at the Xuan Son landfill, and the rest in other plants.