Planting trees releases more than 600,000 tons of plastic, pesticide packaging waste.
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Agricultural activities generate more than 600,000 tons of nylon and pesticide packaging waste, much of which is discarded into the environment despite being hazardous, causing water pollution.
Agricultural activities generate more than 600,000 tons of nylon and pesticide packaging waste, most of which is discarded into the environment despite being hazardous and causing water pollution.
This data was provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the report "National Environmental Status 2023." According to the report, the management of pesticide packaging is inadequate, with insufficient infrastructure investment for proper disposal.
In 2023, nearly 624,000 tons of nylon and pesticide packaging waste were produced in agriculture. On average, farmers discharge 1-1.5 kg of pesticide packaging per hectare of rice farming, while for crops and industrial plants, this amount is 2-3 times higher, according to the Institute of Agricultural Environment.
However, only 40% of pesticide packaging is collected and disposed of. Of this, nearly 18% is incinerated, while the remainder is treated as regular waste. Despite being classified as hazardous waste, farmers often discard these packages directly at the edge of fields, in garden corners, or even throw them into ponds, lakes, and water sources used for drinking.
A farmer in the flower village of Tây Tựu (Hanoi). Photo: Thanh Huế
A farmer in Tây Tựu (Hanoi) sprays pesticides on a rose field in 2020. Photo: Thanh Huế
Regarding collection and disposal solutions, nine years ago, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, set a rule that at least one waste collection pit for hazardous waste must be provided for every 3 hectares of long-term crops. However, only 42 provinces and cities have established nearly 58,000 collection pits, which does not meet the actual demand.
In Hòa Bình, approximately 370 tons of pesticides are used annually, but only 15% of the packaging is collected into storage pits. Over 20 tons of packaging are left on the fields, mixed into the soil and water sources. As for the packaging stored in pits, no locality currently has plans or funding to dispose of them.
In Thừa Thiên Huế, about 17-20 tons of chemical packaging waste are discharged into the environment each year. When discarded in canals, ditches, or exposed to rain, the residual pesticides in the packaging directly contaminate water sources, leading to environmental pollution.
Notably, rural soil has shown signs of pollution. In areas specializing in vegetables, flowers (Hanoi), Tan Cuong tea (Thai Nguyen), and coffee (Central Highlands), soil is becoming increasingly acidic, with the risk of heavy metal contamination. Worse, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has reported pesticide residues in the soil.
The Ministry also warned that soil contamination from pesticide residues could accumulate in agricultural products and food, leading to food poisoning and long-term health effects.
Another risk highlighted is plastic pollution, with 257,000 tons of plastic used for greenhouse covers, nets, and irrigation systems being discarded into the environment annually.
The Ministry has called for the implementation of farming practices and techniques to reduce pesticide use, as well as better management and monitoring of pesticide and fertilizer storage.
Authorities recommend that the public comply with regulations on the collection and disposal of plastics and hazardous packaging. They also suggest increasing infrastructure investment in waste collection, as well as researching and applying measures for waste treatment, recycling, and the reuse of agricultural waste and by-products.