MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A PERSPECTIVE ON VIETNAM

Environmental pollution has posed and continues to cause specific to and complicated problems. The unsustainable production and consumption patterns result in waste that can harm health and the environment. Because of rapid population growth and urbanization, industrialization process and rural to urban migration, solid waste management is becoming more and more critical now, being a problem in rapidly growing urban centers in developing countries. All these threaten the health and well-being of residents, clog drains which contributes to flooding and the spread of disease, and serve as breeding grounds for pathological organisms. This paper reviews some aspects of the current status of solid waste management, and aims to (1) examine the current status and trends in solid waste quantities, types, and sources; (2) analyze the solid waste generation, considering Vietnam as a case study; (3) highlight the key issues in solid waste management, such as waste handling, institutional roles and capacity, the legal framework, and financial issues in this case; (4) provide recommendation for improving solid waste management in Vietnam. The country is producing more than 15 million tons of waste each year, and this volume is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. Urban areas, which contain only 24 percent of the population of the country, produce more than 6 million tons 50 percent of the country's municipal waste. By 2010, municipal waste generation is expected to increase by over 60 percent. In addition, expanding urbanization, combined with industrial growth and the modernization of healthcare services, will lead to a significant increase in hazardous and hazardous healthcare waste generation, posing serious health concerns if not properly managed. The country has responded with a sound legal framework, an aggressive investment plan, as well as an emphasis on improving local services, especially in major cities. However, achieving the goal of safe and cost-effective management and disposal of waste will remain a major challenge, requiring concerted efforts by government, industries, hospitals, solid waste operators, and individuals.