A workshop on "Municipal solid waste management towards a circular economy" was held in Can Tho city on November 18, 2022, by the Research Institute for Climate Change (DRAGON-Mekong Institute), Can Tho University (CTU), and the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organizations. The workshop was conducted under the sponsorship of the Friedrich Naumann Institute Vietnam (FNF) in person and online form. The objective of the workshop is to recognize and exchange experiences in promoting efficient municipal solid waste management in line with the circular economy model. This will allows participants to identify opportunities and challenges as well as propose policies strategic, associated with the unique circumstances and environment of Can Tho city in expanding the circular economy practice in the fields towards sustainable development.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers - Country Director of the FNF Institute in Vietnam delivered a welcome speech at the workshop

Ms. Tran Le Mong Chau - Vice President of the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organisations , welcomed the workshop with a speech.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri - Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change, Can Tho University delivered the opening speech of the workshop

Mr. Nguyen Trung Nhan - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho city, and more than 100 delegates from departments, branches, agencies, businesses, scientists from various institutes, School inside and outside Can Tho city attended the seminar. The workshop was also honored to welcome more than 30 online participants from NGOs, research units and universities in the country. Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers - Country Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Vietnam, Assoc. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri - Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change and Ms. Tran Le Mong Chau, Vice President of the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organisations and members of the organising committee participated on the side of sponsors and organizers.

The workshop shared topics on the current state of municipal solid waste management in Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta region, circular economy and policies related to it... Additionally, topics of smart waste management through software applications; business start-up concepts and livelihoods derived from agricultural waste were highlighted.

The delegates discussed the current state of challenges in Can Tho’s solid waste management and circular economy transformation in the first discussion time , including: Sustainably maintaining community participation in waste segregation; Guiding and implementing appropriate waste segregation; Emissions from waste treatment… In addition, the delegates also shared suggestions to identify opportunities and solutions to improve solid waste management towards weekly economy completion for Can Tho City at the second discussion session of the workshop.

Some pictures at the workshop

 Dr.  Nguyen Xuan Hoang - Deputy Dean of College of Environment & Natural Resources, Can Tho University present “The current state of municipal solid waste management in Can Tho and Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD)”

 

  Dr Pham Truong Yen – Deputy Director – Department of Agriculture & Rural Development of Can Tho City present “Agricultural production, waste management and agricultural waste towards the circular economy (in Can Tho city)”

Dr. Nguyen Kieu Lan Phuong – Circular Economy Development Research Institute, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City present “Circular economy policies and models in solid waste management”

Mr. Nguyen Trong Minh – Project Manager of Grac Zero Waste, Environmental Cooperative present “Instructions for software usage: Digital transformation of waste management for garbage collection enterprises”

Expert Hoang Son Cong Head of Membership Committee of Vietnam Retailers Association Director of Center for Business Support and Technology present “Transfer in Retail Industry Start-up ideas – livelihoods from agricultural waste”

MSc. Tram Nguyen – WASTEAID Vietnam present “Digitalization, a driving factor in the transition towards a circular economy”

Delegates contribute ideas to the workshop

Delegates contribute ideas to the workshop

Overview of the workshop

Delegates take souvenir photos

The same day’s afternoon saw Can Tho University and expert Hoang Son Cong host a discussion for farmers in Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district, Can Tho City, on the subject of “Starting a business from indigenous resources.”. Through this activity, it helps to shift people’s production mindset away from using chemical fertilizers and toward employing low-cost pesticides and organic fertilizers to make the most of locally available raw materials. Therefore, raising product quality results in high economic efficiency.

 

(News and photos: DRAGON-Mekong Institute)

More information about the workshop

https://giaothongketnoi.opensky.com.vn/can-tho-quan-ly-chat-thai-ran-huong-den-nen-kinh-te-tuan-hoan

https://www.qdnd.vn/kinh-te/tin-tuc/quan-ly-chat-thai-ran-huong-toi-nen-kinh-te-tuan-hoan-711412

https://baocantho.com.vn/nang-cao-hieu-qua-quan-ly-chat-thai-ran-huong-toi-kinh-te-tuan-hoan-a153389.html

https://laodong.vn/kinh-doanh/quan-ly-chat-thai-ran-huong-den-nen-kinh-te-tuan-hoan-vung-dbscl-1117975.ldo?gidzl=dIR40ZRdS0ITESq0CV5u2v8qnmace2bQY6R0MYgkA5xHFy1QSlvv3TqtnWn-zYnRWZ2O2ZIQy8moDkL_0G