Challenges in the implementation of solid waste management strategy in the central highlands of Vietnam

Journal of Science and Technology 54 (4B) (2016) 132-137 CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF VIETNAM Nguyen Hoang Phuong1, Nguyen Phu Bao2, Tran Tuan Viet2, *, Pham Hong Nhat2 1University of Technology - Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, 268 Ly Thuong Kiet St., District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam 2Institute for Tropicalization and Environment (ITE), 57A Truong Quoc Dzung St., Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam *Email: viet.vittep@gmail.com Received: 15th August 2016; Accepted for publication: 10th November 2016 ABSTRACT The Central Highlands of Viet Nam has a large area of 56,638.44 km2 and is characterized by owning different types of topography, a thin population density (95 people/km2), a limited literacy level but rather high economic growth rates (average of 12.84 %/year for the last few years). Besides, the municipal model for solid waste management (SWM) currently practiced in the Central Highlands appears to be ineffective due to, among other reasons, the limited capability of solid waste collection and transportation in the rural areas. Results of this study show rather poor collection rates in the region, ranging from 25.8 % in Dak Nong to 77.6 % as highest in Lam Dong. These figures have obviously not met the targets set for 2015 as required by the “Vietnam National Strategy for Integrated SWM till 2025, with a vision to 2050”. Based on the characteristics of natural environment, socio-economic and local culture values of the study area, a combination of regional SWM and ecological modernization theory (EMT) has been analyzed in this research. As a result, this study points out the way for improving the current SWM in the Central Highlands by, among other measures, rerouting the regional solid waste collection and transportation; Last but not least, the study concludes that in order to improve HDI in the Central Highlands to the average nationwide value of 0.753, it is unrealistic to be based only on GDP growth. Instead, however, it could be realistic if IGDP increases at only 2 - 3 % with an increase of Ieducation and Ilife time at about 5 %. Keywords: Solid waste management, sustainable development, Central Highlands. 1. INTRODUCTION The Central Highlands of Viet Nam has a large area (56,638.44 km2 occupying 16.5 % of the country’s area), with a thin population (5,281,000 or 6.07 % of the country’s population) and Challenges in the implementation of solid waste management strategy in 133 a rather low GDP per capita ranging from VND mil 22.22 to 32.6 per year which is below the national average figure of VND mil 36.947/year [1]. The limited social economic condition is a challenge for SWM in this region. Solid waste generation in the Central Highlands is rather low, of only 952,584 ton/year (2010) [2] (still about twice of the official figure by MONRE which was 468,660 ton/year [3]). Though, due to its large area, thin population density, far distance between communities and limited social economic conditions, the collection, transport and treatment of solid waste has so far been rather poor. Consequently, the coverage currently ranges from 25.8 to 77.6 %, typically 40.7 % for the whole area [2]. Applying the regional SWM approach in a combination with EMT and sustainable development measurement, this study aims at assessing the challenges of and subsequently seeking ways for improving the current SWM in the Central Highlands. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area of this research is the Central Highlands of Viet Nam including five provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. Input data have been collected primarily from field surveys. In addition, supportive data are extracted from official sources such as the recently published Annual Statistics Books. Relationships between economic development and solid waste generation have been assessed by extrapolation and construction of linear correlations [4] for the collected data. Criteria for regional SWM have been employed from a previous research [5], including (1) 50 km limit radius area for municipalities; (2) access to a favorable transport system; (3) availability of flexible and eco-friendly transportation means; and (4) availability of an operating regional SWM organization. Sustainable development can be linked with the economist’s traditional concept of optimal economic growth [6] which is traced out in the following form: ∫∞ = − 0 ).( t t t dteCUMaximize δ (1) where U is utility (wellbeing), C is real consumptions per capita, and δ is the utility discount rate. In function (1), the U is wellbeing of consumers in the real consumptions per capita in available income. Its general linear form is Ct = C0 + Cm*Yd (2) where C0 is self-consumption, Yd is available income (or GDP per capita), and Cm is marginal consumption tendency. In this study, Cm = 0.75 and C0 = Yd (in case the saving is zero) were applied. The change of social indicators is assessed using the change of Human Development Index (HDI) which is calculated based on the function below [7]: HDI = (Ilife time + Ieducation + IGDP)/3 (3) where Ilife expectancy (from 0 to 1) is life time index which was calculated for each province by General Statistics Office of Viet Nam, Ieducation (from 0 to 1) is education index calculated by using the rate of literate adults and the rate of schooling at all education levels (from elementary to under-graduate school, including non-formal education), and IGDP is GDP per capita index (in USD) using purchasing power parity. Nguyen Hoang Phuong 134 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Status and challenges in solid waste management in Central Highlands The average volume of solid waste in the Central Highlands is rather low, with only 530 ton/day, ranging from 214 ton/day (in Kon Tum) to 639 ton/day (in Lam Dong). Though, the amount of collected solid waste is limited with only 245.3 ton/day as average for the whole area, ranging from 56.2 ton/day (25.8 %) in Dak Nong to 496 ton/day (77.6 %) as highest in Lam Dong (Table 1), where GDP per capita is highest in the area and which is of 88.2 % compared to the national GDP per capita (Table 2) [1]. Table 1. Solid waste collection in the Central Highlands’ provinces. Kon Tum Gia Lai Dak Lak Dak Nong Lam Dong Collection rate (%) 29.6 26.5 46.2 25.8 77.6 Collection volume (ton/day) 63.4 158.5 452.2 56.2 496 Although the increase of solid waste volume is rather low (average 1.51 %/year) [2], the waste collection rate in the area remains low and reaches only about 50 % of the target set by the “Vietnam National Strategy for Integrated SWM till 2025, with a vision to 2050”. This is due to 1/ poor economic conditions and low GDP per capita; 2/ low standards of living, literacy level and HDI (average HDI of 0.6866, which is only of 91.2 % to the national HDI) [7, 8]; and 3/ disorganized solid waste management system and low investment [2]. Despite different conditions, the SWM system is structured similar in all the five provinces in the area. As for example, at district level solid waste is managed directly by the district’s Economic Infrastructure Division and indirectly by the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Department of Construction [2]. This is the one of the key challenges which has to be solved in order to improve the effectiveness of SWM in the Central Highlands. Table 2. GDP and HDI in the Central Highlands’ provinces. Indicator Kon Tum Gia Lai Dak Lak Dak Nong Lam Dong Average GDP 2014 27,524,000 32,606,000 29,986,000 34,106,000 40,158,000 34,900,000 GDP VN 43,403,000 43,403,000 43,403,000 43,403,000 43,403,000 43,403,000 Ratio (%) 60.1 70.8 67.7 73.7 88.2 72.1 HDI 2008 0.6521 0.6657 0.6959 0.6959 0.7233 0.6866 HDI VN 0.7530 0.7530 0.7530 0.7530 0.7530 0.7530 Ratio (%) 86.6 88.4 92.4 92.4 96.1 91.2 Note: GDP values of each province is extracted from Viet Nam Statistical Yearbook 2015 [1]; Average GDP of Central Highlands was published by Central Highlands Steering Committee in 2015 [9]. Ch 3.2 thr lon Gi nat the tow No SW sys Th Hi - - - 3.3 lin (C pro Ce allenges in t . The regio One of th ee National g), NH No. a Lai – Ko ional roads following a 1/ Define ns and are . 20, four al 2/ Plan a TC for the tem, land a uot is sugg ghlands. The 3/ Plan co Route 1 – province); Thuot SW province). Route 2 – province); Route 3 – Trong, Da . Ecologic integrat Figure 1 As seen i ear positive orrelation co jected, whi ntral Highla he impleme nal solid wa e advantages Highways ( 27 (Lam Do n Tum, 428 are less than ctions: recycling less than 50 ongside NH solid waste Central H vailability a ested to ex segregated llection rout NH No. 14 Chu Pah, P TC (Dak La NH No. 27 Lak, Cu Ku NH No. 20 Lat (Lam D al modern ed solid wa . Sustainable n Figure 1, correlation efficient R2 le GDP gro nds will dec ntation of so ste manage in regard to NH) passing ng – Dak L km long). 50 km apa and pre-trea km apart. A No. 27 and f treatment c ighlands bec nd high mar pand to res recyclable f es: : covers 13 leiku, Chu k province) : covers 4 d in, Buon Ma : covers 5 di ong provinc ization the ste managem development sustainable d with the r = 0.7) and wth decrea rease. lid waste ma ment solutio transportat this area, i ak, 240 km l Moreover, rt. Therefore tment cente s such, ther ive alongsid enter (SWT ause of its ket potentia pond all so actions are k districts/cit Se, Chu Pu ; and Cu Jut istricts/citie Thuot SWT stricts/cities e). ory and s ent in the in the Central evelopment eal consump an exponen ses and CP nagement s n ion for the C ncluding NH ong) and NH all main ur , the region rs (RPTC) e will be thr e NH No. 1 C): Buon M central loca l. The curre lid waste tr ept at the lo ies includin h (Gia Lai); , Dak Min, s including C (Dak Lak including D ustainable Central Hig Highlands du correspond tions corre tial correlati I increases, trategy in entral Highl No. 20 (in No. 14 (D ban centers al SWM is p which are l ee RPTCs l 4; a Thuot is p tion, rather nt Hoa Phu eatment dem cal RPTCs; g Dak To, K Ea H’Leo, Gia Nghia, D Lam Ha, Da province). a Huoai, Ba developme hlands ring the perio ing to the U sponding to on with the sustainable ands is that Lam Dong ak Nong - D located alo roposed to ocated betw ocated along roposed to good trans SWTC in B and of the on Tum (K Buon Ho, B ak Rlap (D m Rong (La o Loc, Di L nt assessm d 2010 – 201 value (Utili the change change of developmen 135 there are , 189 km ak Lak – ng those focus on een two side NH handle a portation uon Ma Central on Tum uon Ma ak Nong m Dong inh, Duc ent for 6. ty) has a of CPI GDP. As t in the Nguyen Hoang Phuong 136 According to form (1), towards sustainable development, the real consumptions per capita (Ct) should be decreased and the utility discount rate (δt) should be increased, meaning that consumptions should follow a pattern that could reduce waste emission and increase people’s income generation. As a result, based on EMT the following solutions can be proposed: - Restructure the current SWM system: The units of district (and/or commune) level will only do the collection and transportation; while the local RPTCs will do the recycling and pre- treatment before transferring the remaining waste to the SWTC in Buon Ma Thuot which will solely be doing the treatment only. - Increase income and reduce natural resource exploitation towards sustainable development. - To ensure sustainable development, the decrease of U – utility should be maximized to reach an optimum value. As calculated, sustainable development and a high level of consumer satisfaction will both be achieved if comprehensive solutions for economic development (GDP growth above 10 %) and waste emission reduction (CPI under 3 %) are applied. 3.4. The effectiveness of the regional SWM and EMT When both regional SWM and EMT are applied, the following benefits for the Central Highlands are expected: - The SWM system will be refined and consist of only 22 district level collection and transport units; 5 RPTCs; and only 1 (or maximum 2) modern SWTC(s) instead of 61 scattered and polluting units that do all collection, transport and treatment as before. - During the period 2016-2020, if CPI is controlled in the range 1 - 3 % and GDP growth in the range 10 - 12 %, the U – utility will considerably decrease (66 %) compared to the period 2010-2015. - Besides, with unchanged Ieducation and Ilife time and a 10 %/year growth of GDP, the social index or HDI in the Central Highlands is expected to significantly increase. - Following EMT in SWM [3, 5], the increase of GDP will lead to the increase of waste treatment costs and, in its turn, will result in the increase of consumptions. Therefore, GDP growth with unchanged consumptions through a sustainable consumption pattern will contribute to the improvement of the social index. As calculated, under unchanged Ieducation and Ilife time, in order to improve HDI in the Central Highlands to the average nationwide HDI (which is 0.753), IGDP of the area would have to increase about 17 %, leading to an impossible GDP increase of a dozen times. This means that it is unrealistic to increase HDI based only on GDP growth. On the other hand, however, HDI = 0.753 for sustainable development requirements could be realistic in the Central Highlands if IGDP increases at only 2-3 % with an increase of Ieducation and Ilife time at about 5 %. 4. CONCLUSIONS The main challenges in SWM in the Central Highlands are related to economic and management problems. Those problems could be solved if EMT and regional SWM approach are both employed. As the result of the improvement, not only environmental pollution will be minimized, but also both sustainable development index and HDI will significantly be improved. The current SWM in the Central Highlands can be improved by, among other measures, rerouting the regional solid waste collection and transportation; Last but not least, in order to Challenges in the implementation of solid waste management strategy in 137 improve HDI in the Central Highlands to the average nationwide value of 0.753, it is unrealistic to be based only on GDP growth. Instead, however, it could be realistic if IGDP increases at only 2 - 3 % with an increase of Ieducation and Ilife time at about 5 %. Acknowledgements. This paper presents part of a national level research project co-studied by Tay Nguyen University and the Institute of Environmental Technology within the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, financially funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology that all are much acknowledged. The authors thank Dr. Tran Trung Dung, vice rector of Tay Nguyen University for close collaboration and information sharing. Thanks are also to colleagues from ITE, who have contributed to this study. REFERENCES 1. General statistics office - Viet Nam Statistical Yearbook 2009-2014. Ha Noi, 2015. 2. Tran Trung Dung - Investigation and assessment of the current collection, transportation and treatment of solid waste in the Central Highlands and suggestion for planning and handling solid waste management till 2020 (National research code No. TN3/T21). Dak Lak, 2015. 3. MONRE - National Environment Report – Solid waste management, Ha Noi, 2011. 4. Dang Van Giap - Scientific data analysis using MS-Excel. Education Publisher, 1997. 5. Luu Duc Hai - Chapter 18: Regional or multi-urban integrated solid waste management, Integrated solid waste management, Ha Noi, 2013, pp. 425-443. 6. Giles Atkinson, Richard Duborg, Kirk Hamilton, Mohan Munasuinghe, David Pearce, Carlos Yuong - Measuring sustainable development: Macro-economics and the Environment, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, UK, 1997, pp. 241. 7. Do Thuc - Completion of method and proposal of procedure for calculating Human development index in Viet Nam, Ha Noi, 2008. 8. Cao Van Hoach - Human development index in new age, Journal of Science and Technology in Quang Binh 5 (2011) 45-50. 9. Central Highlands Steering Committee, Retrieved on the 9th August 2016 at: 2015-339555/