Vietnam-Belgium cooperation in waste management to be strengthened

As Vietnam’s cities expand at an unprecedented pace and industrial parks multiply in number, the country faces a growing dilemma: how to manage the mounting waste that comes with rapid development. From household trash piling up along city streets to hazardous medical and industrial waste straining existing systems, the challenge is clear: without innovative solutions, environmental and public health risks will only escalate.

According to figures from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Vietnam generates an estimated 25 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year, with daily waste output of 67,877 tons. Urban areas contribute 38,143 tons per day (56.2 per cent), while rural areas account for 29,734 tons (43.8 per cent). Despite significant effort, only 88.34 per cent of this waste is collected and processed nationwide, with urban centers achieving a collection rate of 96.60 per cent and rural areas lagging behind at 77.69 per cent. Alarmingly, the volume of municipal waste is rising at an average rate of 10-16 per cent per year in cities, signaling an urgent need for more efficient waste management and recycling strategies.

Despite the challenges, a promising Vietnam-Belgium partnership is emerging to address the country’s waste crisis. Belgium, a global leader in waste recycling, follows a structured approach: preventing waste, maximizing reuse, and minimizing the environmental impact. This cooperation holds the potential to modernize Vietnam’s waste management sector, making it not only more efficient but also more environmentally-sustainable, ensuring that as the country continues to grow, it does so in harmony with its surroundings.

Exploring potential

Speaking at the “Unlocking Opportunities in Vietnam’s Solid Waste Management & Recycling Sector” seminar, held by the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX) on the sidelines of the State visit by Belgian sovereigns to Vietnam, Mr. Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of the Wallonia Region, emphasized that waste management and recycling represent two of the most critical challenges facing our world today. “The choices we make, the technologies we develop, and the partnerships we form will determine the health and prosperity of our planet for generations to come,” he said.

Belgium, and Wallonia in particular, has long been a pioneer in environmental sustainability and circular economy practices, Mr. Dolimont noted. Through continuous investment in research and development, Belgian companies have established themselves as global leaders in waste management and recycling technologies. “Belgium is proud to stand alongside Vietnam and our partners worldwide in this shared commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable planet.”

For his part, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh acknowledged that while Vietnam has set ambitious goals for solid waste management and strengthened its legal framework, major challenges remain. The country is grappling with a shortage of sanitary landfills, a lack of advanced and efficient waste treatment technologies, and limited financial and technical resources for waste management. Inadequate focus on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery has also resulted in an overreliance on landfilling; a practice that is neither sustainable nor efficient.

Recognizing the immense potential for collaboration between Vietnam and Belgium in tackling these challenges, Deputy Minister Thanh called on Belgium to support Vietnam with technical expertise and the transfer of cutting-edge technologies in waste treatment, recycling, and energy production from waste. He emphasized that Belgium’s successful models, particularly those implemented in Wallonia, could serve as valuable blueprints for Vietnam’s efforts. “Vietnam is eager to strengthen cooperation in research and specialized training, particularly in enhancing the skills of local environmental management and technical teams,” he said.

Beyond technology transfer, he suggested that both countries work together to develop pilot projects in circular economy and waste management across select Vietnamese provinces. These initiatives could serve as testbeds for innovative solutions, laying the groundwork for nationwide adoption and transforming Vietnam’s approach to waste management in a more sustainable and forward-thinking direction.

Rethinking recycling

Building a sustainable supply chain for recycling, construction, and liquid waste in Vietnam remains a significant challenge. Despite growing awareness and efforts, multiple barriers hinder progress.

Professor Luc Courard from Liege University in Belgium paints a complex picture of the challenges facing Vietnam’s recycling industry, particularly in construction and demolition waste. He points out that while recycling is often seen as the solution, the real priority should be reducing waste in the first place. “Recycling is not the best solution,” he said. “The best solution is to produce less waste. But since we cannot imagine a world without waste, we must find ways to make the most of what we discard.”

One of the greatest barriers is technical - the need for proper sorting and dismantling at the source. Instead of demolishing buildings and mixing all materials together, he advocates for careful deconstruction. Processing methods like crushing and grinding must also be efficient, as recycled aggregates and sand are low-value materials that cannot justify expensive treatments.

Another challenge is economic. The cost of transportation often outweighs the value of the recycled material. Professor Courard shared an example from Belgium, where if recycled aggregates need to be transported over 50 km, they become more expensive than natural alternatives. In Vietnam, with its vast geography and scattered recycling facilities, this issue is even more pronounced.

Regulation also plays a crucial role. He stressed the importance of policy support to encourage businesses to use recycled materials. Without legal incentives, many developers will always prefer virgin materials.

Finally, there is the issue of public perception. Many still see recycled materials as inferior, despite their potential. “The challenge is not just technical, it’s social,” Professor Courard said. “We need to change mindsets.” He believes Vietnam can follow the European model, where nearly 30 per cent of construction aggregates now come from recycled sources. But to get there, the country must focus not just on recycling, but on rethinking how waste is handled at every stage, from design to demolition.

Long-term commitment

Belgium’s support for Vietnam in waste management extends far beyond technology transfer; it is a long-term commitment to sustainable development. Belgian experts emphasize that their role is not just to introduce solutions but to ensure they remain effective for years to come.

Mr. Pierre Mottet, Chairman of Ion Beam Applications SA, highlighted this approach. “Once a solution is implemented, we ensure follow-up with local teams to make sure it remains effective, not just immediately, but for years to come,” he said. Belgium’s involvement, he continued, focuses on capacity building and continuous improvement rather than quick fixes.

He also pointed out that replacing thermal-based treatment methods with cold-processing techniques could be a game-changer for Vietnam. “We are working on analogs to explore alternatives to thermal-based processes, which are energy-intensive and difficult to manage,” he explained.

In the construction sector, Professor Courard emphasized Belgium’s proactive stance in managing construction and demolition waste. He cited Wallonia’s 1990s decision to ban landfill storage of inert materials as a crucial policy that drove circular economy initiatives. “Since they are largely inert and environmentally stable, they can be reused efficiently in the construction industry,” he noted. He encouraged stronger collaboration between Vietnam’s government, research institutions, and private sector to develop similar policies that promote sustainability.

Beyond technology, Belgium also provides financial support to facilitate the adoption of these innovations. Mr. Mottet pointed out that securing international funding is crucial for Vietnam, where large-scale environmental projects require both technical expertise and financial backing.

Belgian firms are also transforming medical waste treatment. Mr. Olivier Dufrasne, President of Ecosteryl, contrasted his company’s technology with traditional methods. “I don’t think I need to explain why incineration is harmful to the planet,” he said. “Just step outside and look at the sky. It’s clear that we need to reduce it, especially for medical waste.” His company’s system operates solely on electricity, producing no emissions, wastewater, or steam. By integrating solar energy, these machines offer a self-sufficient solution ideal for regions with unstable electricity grids.

As Vietnam moves towards a circular economy, Belgium’s contributions in waste management, construction, and medical waste treatment offer not just technology but a roadmap for lasting, sustainable change.