Waste collectors can now refuse unsorted trash: draft

The draft circular on the collection, transportation and treatment of solid waste by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment says environment workers have the right to check people’s trash bags and refuse to collect trash that's improperly sorted.

Workers will be tasked with collecting particular sorts of trash, instead of collecting all kinds of trash in one go, as currently.

Waste will also be categorized based on its potential to be reused or recycled, among other classifications.

Food waste must be collected in tightly shut containers, to prevent leakage during transportation. Workers will also monitor households that do not sort trash properly, and report them to local environmental hygiene units.

Hoang Van Thuc, head of the Pollution Control Department, last month said 30 localities had issued instructions on household waste sorting, and trials had begun.

In accordance with environmental laws, trash must be sorted at the source by Dec. 31, 2024.

Last year, Vietnam produced 24.5 million tons of trash, with 1,456 facilities to deal with solid waste.