River trash capture tool launched in Nam Dinh Province

This river trash capture tool (hereinafter referred to as a “trash trapper”) is financially supported and technically advised by US-based NGO Ocean Conservancy through “Strategic Plastic Litter Abatement in the Song Hong” project. This project is managed and implemented by MCD in collaboration with the Nam Dinh DONRE and other local and national partners.

The event was attended by national-level government representatives from the Vietnam Administration of Sea and Islands; the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration and its Northern Branch; Vietnam Academy for Water Resources; and from MCD; the delegates who participated in the event from Nam Dinh province include: leaders and officers of the DONRE; representatives of the Department of Transport, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Traffic Police Division, Riverway Management Company No. 5; representatives of the Division of Natural Resources and Environment of Nam Dinh city and the People's Committee of Tran Te Xuong Ward; leaders of Nam Dinh City People's Committee and officers of Division of Natural Resources and Environment of Nam Truc District; leaders of the Party Committee, People's Committee, People's Council, and representatives of local units, enterprises, mass organizations and communities of Dien Xa Commune; representatives of the Division of Natural Resources and Environment of My Loc District and the People's Committee of My Tan Commune; representatives of the Division of Natural Resources and Environment of Giao Thuy District and the Management Board of Xuan Thuy National Park; leaders of the Green Environment Co., Ltd in Nam Truc District; representatives of the trash trapper operation groups in Dien Xa Commune, My Tan Commune and Tran Te Xuong Ward; and over 100 local people representing the community in the neighboring area where the new trash trapper will operate. The ceremony was witnessed by representatives of national and local press and television agencies.

At the event, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, Standing Deputy Director of MCD, said: “In the previous period, MCD together with partners, experts and local authorities have had 02 river trash trappers installed, launched and operated, in which one trash trapper is located on the Red River in My Tan Commune, My Loc District and one trash trapper is located on the Dao River in Tran Te Xuong Ward, Nam Dinh City. Inheriting the results and experiences from those two devices, the 3^rd trash trapper has been carefully researched, improved and adjusted to suite the local site and conditions and well supported by MCD, donors and advisors, to be installed in Nam Dinh Province. As a result, today, we are delighted to announce the launch of the trash trapper at Phu Hao Village, Dien Xa Commune, Nam Truc District, Nam Dinh Province and firmly believe that this trash trapper will be successfully received and operated by the local authorities and communities, contributing to expanding such useful tool network in enhancing the collection, classification and treatment of solid waste in the river and sea areas.”

The research, design, and manufacture of the river trash capture tool was led by MCD and Nam Dinh DONRE, with the participation of domestic and foreign experts, local officials, and local communities. It has obtained professional appraisal and permission for operation by the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration. Trash trappers are located at river shorelines, contributing to strengthening waste management in riverine estuary areas in Nam Dinh.

Mr. Phan Van Phong, Deputy Director of the Nam Dinh DONRE, said: “The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is very honored to be the focal point to implement the project “Strategic Plastic Litter Abatement in the Song Hong” led and implemented by MCD in Nam Dinh. We highly appreciate the support from the donors, the efforts of MCD and the experts, who continuously assist Nam Dinh to protect environment, manage waste and apply new tool for capturing river trash. The processes of implementing the trash trappers in My Tan and Tran Te Xuong sites have brought in invaluable experience and good results, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of riverside waste collection, reducing floating waste from river to the sea and raising awareness and participation of local communities in solid waste management. Now it continues and we are delighted to receive and operate this new trash trapper and hope that more trash trappers will be installed in Nam Dinh with the support of MCD and donors in environmental protection projects."

From the perspective of Ocean Conservancy as a funding partner and a technical advisor for the project, Mrs. Vien Tran, Vietnam Senior Manager, shared: “Ocean Conservancy is happy that the innovative river trash capture tool has been so invaluable that it is being replicated elsewhere along Vietnam’s Red River to tackle plastic pollution. We hope the trash trapper network expands all along the river and its tributaries, to keep plastics out of our ocean and grow our shared scientific understanding of this important issue.”

In the future, through the aforementioned project, MCD will continue to work with experts to monitor the operation of the three installed trash trappers in accordance with technical requirements and relevant regulations, and to proceed to deploy more trash capture tools at other areas as proposed by the local authorities and communities. It is expected that a trash trapper network is formed on the waterways of the Red River delta, contributing to the reduction of marine plastic waste in Nam Dinh in particular and in Vietnam in general.