Hanoi pilots standardized trash bags for waste sorting

Starting October 1, Cua Nam Ward in Hanoi is piloting a new waste collection model using standardized trash bags to encourage source separation. The pilot program, conducted by the Hanoi Urban Environment Company in collaboration with local authorities, is being implemented in the Le Thanh Tong residential group, involving over 500 households and businesses.

Under this model, residents are instructed to categorize waste into four groups: recyclables, hazardous waste, bulky waste, and remaining household waste. The remaining waste must be placed in translucent gray standardized bags. These bags feature unique identification marks, sorting instructions, collection schedules, and QR codes for management purposes.

The system aims to implement a “pay-as-you-throw” principle, where the cost of waste disposal is linked to the volume of waste generated. During the three-month pilot, households will use 10-liter bags (holding approximately 5 kg of waste), while businesses will use 40-liter bags (holding approximately 10 kg). Experts note that this approach, similar to models used in Japan, can be more effective than flat-rate fees by incentivizing recycling and reducing overall waste.