River trash capture tool launched in Nam Truc District

This river trash capture tool 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, delegates from Nam Dinh Province, 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.

Cutting the ribbon for launching the river trash capture tool at Nam Thang Commune, Nam Truc District, Nam Dinh Province

At the event, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, Standing Deputy Director of MCD, said: “In the previous period, MCD in collaboration with Nam Dinh DONRE and partners, experts and local authorities have had 03 river trash trappers installed, launched and operated, in which two trash trappers are located on the Red River in My Tan Commune, My Loc District and Dien Xa Commune, Nam Truc District and one trash trapper is located on the Dao River in Tran Te Xuong Ward, Nam Dinh City. The process of deploying these 03 trash trappers has recorded good operating results, contributing to enhance the efficiency of riverine waste collection, reducing floating waste from rivers to the sea, and enhancing awareness and participation of local communities in the management of solid waste and plastic waste. Inheriting the results and experiences from those three devices, the 4^th 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 4^th trash trapper that is installed at Thang Hung Village, Nam Thang Commune, Nam Truc District, Nam Dinh Province. We firmly believe that this trash trapper will be well received and operated by the local authorities and communities, becoming an important part of the trash trapper network on the Red River.”

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

Mr. Phan Van Phong, Deputy Director of the Nam Dinh DONRE, commented: "We are delighted to receive and operate the trash trappers in My Tan Commune, Dien Xa Commune, and Tran Te Xuong Ward. Through implementing these 03 trash trappers, valuable experiences have been gained and practical results have been recorded for the management of solid waste and plastic waste in Nam Dinh Province. We highly appreciate the support from the donors, the efforts of MCD and the experts, who continuously assist Nam Dinh to protect the environment, manage waste and apply new tool for capturing river trash. We hope that trash trappers will continue to be replicated in Nam Dinh with the support of the MCD in environmental protection projects".

As the next steps, through the “Strategic Plastic Litter Abatement in the Song Hong” project, MCD will continue to work with experts to support Nam Dinh Province for monitoring the operation of the 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.