Waste recycling in focus as Hanoi boosts circular economy
Alternatives to recycle domestic waste are on the focus rather than landfilling as Hanoi sees waste as valuable sources of energy to achieve a circular economy.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Phu Minh Organic Waste Transfer and Treatment Station in Phu Xuyen Commune offers a glimpse into Hanoi’s changing approach to waste management.
The Phu Minh organic waste transfer and treatment station in Phu Xuyen Commune, Hanoi. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
The facility applies rapid semi-dry fermentation technology, achieving 99% purity while preventing secondary pollution.
Each day, it processes 120 tons of organic waste, separating it into fiber residue, refined organic powder, and dissolved organic liquid, all serving as fertilizers for agriculture.
Compared to landfilling, this model can cut up to 55,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, and reduce collection and transport costs by more than 20%.
The new technology turns organic waste into commercial products, cuts pollution and creates economic value, said Nguyen Phuc Thanh, General Director of Thang Long Environmental Services JSC, the operator of the station.
“The plant aims to treat waste and build a green value chain where waste becomes raw material for production,” he added.
Nguyen Van Quy, Head of the Solid Waste Management Division under the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, called it an effective pilot with potential for replication across the city.
“If implemented synchronously, we can both reduce the volume of waste for landfilling and create useful products, in line with the circular economy orientation,” Quy said.
That vision reflects Hanoi’s broader shift. The city is moving away from traditional treatment methods and toward recycling and reuse, recognizing this pathway as essential for building a circular economy.
The shift is underpinned by the latest resolution of the municipal People’s Council, which introduces incentives for organizations and individuals engaged in recycling projects that apply the best available techniques.
Beneficiaries under the resolution are required to produce environmentally friendly recycled products that meet quality standards or carry the Vietnam Eco-label.
The policy aims to encourage greater private sector participation, improve treatment efficiency, and increase the economic value of waste.
Alongside community-level models like Phu Minh, Hanoi is also investing in large-scale projects.
A prime example is the Soc Son Waste-to-Energy Plant, valued at more than VND7.5 trillion (US$287 million), which is capable of processing 2,400 tons of waste daily to generate 60 MW of electricity.
Expanding waste separation at source toward a circular economy
Many communes and wards have carried out waste separation and recycling at source, delivering clear benefits.
In wards like Son Tay, Tung Thien, and Doai Phuong Commune, residents sort organic waste and pair the effort with community fundraising, helping protect the environment and support social activities.
Women’s Unions in communes such as Minh Chau, Quang Oai, Vat Lai, Co Do, Bat Bat, and Suoi Hai have encouraged households to set up separate bins and use microbial products to compost organic waste at home.
The approach generates nutrient-rich fertilizer, reduce the volume of waste requiring transport, and provides a reliable source of inputs for agriculture.
In Phu Xuyen Commune, campaigns like “Plastic-Free Families,” “Green-Clean-Beautiful Schools,” and weekly Saturday clean-up drives have further strengthened community awareness, integrating waste separation into broader cultural and social activities.
Properly treated waste can become a valuable resource. Photo: The Economic and Urban Newspaper.
The city is also expanding international cooperation. The “Zero Waste Hanoi” project, supported by GAIA (the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives), has supplied equipment, offered training, and linked households with urban farms, helping to close the resource loop within neighborhoods.
This model turns waste into resources for agriculture, energy, and industry, thereby easing the burden on landfills.
GAIA is a worldwide civil society network active in over 90 countries, committed to advancing zero-waste practices and sustainable alternatives to incineration.
These efforts come as Hanoi faces mounting waste pressure, producing 7,000 - 7,500 tons of domestic waste daily, mostly organic.
The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment reports that centralized facilities remain overloaded, and 10% - 15% of waste in inner-city areas goes uncollected, leading to pollution, odors, and health risks.
This practice increases greenhouse gas emissions, degrades air quality, and wastes recyclable materials, Bui Thi An, Director of the Institute for Natural Resources, Environment, and Community Development, told The Hanoi Times.
She said that solving the waste problem requires changes at every stage, from sorting and collection to treatment and recycling.
To promote recycling, Tran Cong Thang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), said that Hanoi needs a comprehensive mechanism spanning sorting, collection, and treatment.
He proposed developing green credit and offering preferential loans for environmentally friendly projects, as well as applying eco-labels to expand the market for recycled products.
From an international perspective, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Ensio Norvanto told the Hanoi Radio and Television that in Finland, 90% of municipal waste is recycled or converted into energy, with only about 1% landfilled.
He attributed this success to a clear legal framework, modern technology, and ingrained household sorting habits.
The ambassador recommended that Hanoi treat waste as a resource while introducing financial incentives and technical support to promote source separation and effective reuse.
