Hanoi waste sorting pilot program

Hanoi has initiated a pilot waste management program in the Le Thanh Tong residential group of Cua Nam Ward. The initiative, a collaboration between the Cua Nam Ward People’s Committee and the Hanoi Urban Environment Company (URENCO), aims to encourage source separation by requiring residents to categorize waste into four groups: recyclables, hazardous waste, bulky waste, and remaining household waste.

Under the model, remaining waste must be placed in standardized, translucent gray bags of varying capacities (10-liter for households and 40-liter for businesses) that feature identification marks and QR codes. The system is designed to implement a “pay-as-you-throw” principle to incentivize recycling.

As the program progressed into early October, the collection process integrated specialized electric three-wheeled vehicles to navigate narrow alleys, with residents transferring waste to these vehicles after 8:00 PM. The pilot program is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026, with standardized bags provided free of charge during the initial three months.