On the morning of November 29, 2022, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) cooperated with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) of Nam Dinh province, the People’s Committee of Nam Thang commune, and other local partners to organize the event “Launching river trash capture tool” at Thang Hung village, Nam Thang commune, Nam Truc district, Nam Dinh province.

This river trash capture tool is financially supported and technically advised by U.S.-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; Vietnam Institute of Sea and Islands; Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries; Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration and its Northern Branch; Vietnam Academy for Water Resources; Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment; 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 Nam Thang commune; the People’s Committee 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 and Xuan Truong districts 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, Nam Thang 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.

Delegates at the event

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.”

Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Standing Deputy Director of MCD

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”.

Delegates cut the ribbon Announcing trash trapper

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.

Delegates  visiting the trash trapper

The trash trapper

For more information, please visit: http://ven.vn/river-trash-capture-tool-launched-in-nam-truc-district-46470.html