Ho Chi Minh City targets waste management infrastructure upgrades

Ho Chi Minh City is facing significant pressure to manage approximately 14,000 tons of daily waste, accounting for nearly 20% of Vietnam's total waste output. A recent workshop organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper and the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam) highlighted the urgent need for synchronized infrastructure to support waste separation at the source.

While the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection mandates the classification of solid waste into three groups—recyclable, food waste, and other waste—implementation remains difficult. Current challenges include uneven infrastructure and collection vehicles that often mix different waste types, undermining household sorting efforts. To address this, the city plans to expand its transfer station network from 39 to 63 stations, with upgrades scheduled through 2027.

Experts have also recommended digitalizing the “last mile” of the collection process. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology could help optimize collection routes and station locations, facilitating a transition from manual collection to specialized vehicles with closed containers to reduce urban pollution.