In order to contribute to driving Da Nang’s economic rebound, especially the tourism recovery, the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company has increased its efforts to keep local streets and beaches clean and beautiful since the beginning of 2023, thereby making the city a green tourist destination to attract more tourists to the city.
Crews collecting garbage from a street in the city. Photo: H.H
Focus has been on increasing mechanization in residential trash collection, increasing the frequency of cleaning operations on beaches since the beginning of the tourist season in the city, contributing to making the city more inviting to tourists at both home and abroad, as well as increasing tourist arrivals in the city. They have been actually satisfied at the city’s beach events and festivals. Highlights included a series of events as part of the 'Enjoy Da Nang Summer' Festival 2023, and the Manulife Danang International Marathon 2023.
Especially, crews and mechanized vehicles were deployed for clean-up operations before the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2023 which took place in the city from June 3 to July 8. Accordingly, more than 80 tons of garbage were collected from the city in an attempt to keep the city clean and ensure the success of this event. It started in 2008 and since then, DIFF has become a very much awaited event for locals, along with tourists at both home and abroad. In addition, this most-awaited event of Da Nang has become a symbol of the city.
During the 5 nights of DIFF 2023, 200 crews and 10 mechanized vehicles were deployed to collect 273 tons of garbage from inside and outside of viewing areas.
Mr Hoang Thi Ngoc Hieu, the Deputy General Director of the Da Nang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company remarked that 58 public portable toilets were installed in the city while crews and mechanized vehicles were deployed for clean-up operations in order to keep the designated shooting area and the viewing areas clean during the 5 nights of DIFF 2023. In addition, 80 additional trash bins were placed around the viewing areas while sanitation workers were available along Tran Hung Dao, Bach Dang, Nhu Nguyet streets, and surrounding areas. Crews sometimes finished their work at 1:00 am. Crews then were deployed for street cleanups at 5:00 am in order to ensure good hygiene in the city, as well ensure the aesthetic of the city. Furthermore, heed was paid to collecting floating waste from the Han River.
Besides, the company has worked with district level authorities and local relevant agencies to launch the program ‘Exchanging recyclables for gifts’ with the aim of promoting behaviour change for strengthening waste segregation at source among local residents, as well as encourage them to put waste to good use for recycling. Special attention has been paid to increasing mechanization in residential solid waste collection and bringing waste to two transfer stations located in Son Tra and Hai Chau districts. These activities not only help to keep the city clean, but also contribute to reducing the amount of trash that goes to the Khanh Son Landfill. In the first 6 months of 2023, the amount of municipal waste to the landfill reached 208,477 tons with an average of 1,151 tons per day.
Moreover, mechanization in household trash collection and transportation has been carried out on a trial basis in Hoa Xuan Ward, Cam Le District since June 25, 2023, contributing to increasing the levels of mechanization in garbage collection and transportation. Along with that, importance has been attached to expanding garbage collection service into the remaining villages in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District in a bid to improve the municipal solid waste service coverage and collection efficiency in Hoa Vang District.
In remaining months of 2023, the company will continue its efforts to improve its garbage collection performance in Hai Chau, Son Tra, Thanh Khe, Ngu Hanh Son, Cam Le districts to keep streets and beaches clean and beautiful. In addition, heed will be paid to participating in tendering for cleanup operations at beaches and protection forests of the Son Tra Peninsula, and more.
High priority will be given to increasing the use of information technology in solid waste management, collection of trash collection and transportation charge from local residents. Importance will be attached to promoting recycling activities in an effort to encourage waste separation at source and reduce the amount of trash that goes to the municipal landfill.
Reporting by Hoang Hiep - Translating by H.L