Can Tho, Netherlands join hands to handle plastic waste in Hau river
Officials of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have worked with representatives of the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam and Clear Rivers on implementing a pilot project to collect plastic waste in Hau river.
Can Tho (VNA) – Officials ofthe Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have worked with representatives of the DutchEmbassy in Vietnam and Clear Rivers on implementing a pilot project to collect plastic waste in Hau river.
During the January 11 meeting, RamonKnoester, founding director of ClearRivers, said the waste collection model in the Hau river includes a machine called "Litter Trap",which can operate automatically without using fuel to collect plastic waste floating onthe river into a bag.
The trap is expected to collect about 8 tonnes of plastic waste a week, he said,adding that the waste will be reused sustainably in accordance with a circulareconomy model.
Clear Rivers successfully produced many reusableproducts from plastic waste collected in rivers, including floating park,furniture, and construction materials, he noted.
In the framework of the project, communicationactivities will be organised to raise public awareness of measuresto reduce and recycle plastic waste, and call for joint actions towardsa pollution-free planet.
Deputy Head of Missionat the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam ChristophPrommersberger said many businesses of the Netherlands have strength andexperience in collecting and treating waste floating at sea and rivers.
This waste collection model of Clear Rivers has been successfully implementedin Belgium, Hungary, Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.
The Netherlands hopes that this project will open up moreinvestment cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and Dutch businesses ingeneral, and the European country and Can Tho in particular, he said.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s CommitteeNguyen Thuc Hien highlighted the significance of the project for Can Tho as wellas the Mekong Delta region, expressing his wish that the project could bestarted as soon as possible.
Recently,through the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, Can Tho has accessed funding sources toimplement waste collection and treatment projects, helping to protectthe environment.
Hien said the municipal authorities always pay special attention to and supportcooperation activities to protect the environment, towards developing Can Thointo an ecological and civilized city imbued with river cultural identity inthe Mekong Delta.
He hoped that the pilot project will be a bright spot in the friendlycooperation between Can Tho and the Netherlands, thus improving thewater quality on the♔ Hau River in particular, and addressing waste pollution inrivers worldwide in general./.
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Hau river in Can Tho city (Photo: VNA) 
