Violators of domestic waste sorting may face a fine of between VND 500,000 (USD 21.4) and VND 1 million (USD 42.8), according to a decree recently issued by the Government.
Under Decree 45, a fine of up to VND 250,000 (USD 10.7) will be applied to those who urinate or defecate in a public place other than a restroom.
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| Photo: Internet |
A warning will also be issued for those failing to make public environmental protection regulations in public space.
At the same time, failing to dispose of cigarette butts in designated spots inside residential, commercial and service or public areas could lead to VND 100,000 (USD 4.3) to VND 150,000 (USD 6.4) in fines.
In residential, commercial and service centers, people who discard trash and wastewater at spots not designated for garbage disposal could face a fine between VND 500,000 to VND 1 million.
In public areas such as the pavements, roads, the urban drainage system or other water bodies in the locality, such violations will face a fine ranging from VND 1 million to 2 million (USD 85.7).
Construction materials that are not secured for transit, or are littered on roads during transportation will result in up to VND 4 million in fines.
If the transporting units fail to use specialized vehicles leading to material leakage in the environment, the penalty would be between VND 10 million and 15 million.
The management bodies of parks, entertainment venues, tourist areas, markets, railway and bus stations, piers and ports will face a fine of up to VND 20 million if they fail to ensure adequate sanitation facilities, as well as waste collection efficiency with sufficient equipment and human resources.
According to the 2016-2021 national environmental assessment report, as published by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the daily average of domestic solid waste is over 64,000 tons and increasing.
The report also revealed that the percentage of urban solid waste collected and treated should only rise by 2 percent on a yearly average.
Currently, waste sorting is only performed in a few major cities. Meanwhile, garbage is not being sorted at source.
All lumped together, up to 70 percent of the waste is disposed of by burial.
On January 1 this year, the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection officially came into effect, with new regulations on collecting domestic waste.- (VLLF)
