Handing over the first automatic waste collection system on the river in Vietnam

The Ocean Cleanup organization hands over the control panel of the garbage collection system on the river to Can Tho City – Photo: LE DAN

On the afternoon of April 8, The Ocean Cleanup organization handed over the Interceptor 003 river cleaning system to Can Tho City People’s Committee under the witness of representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Dutch ambassador to Vietnam.

Mr. Duong Tan Hien, vice chairman of Can Tho City People’s Committee, said that this project has an important meaning in the cooperation activities, joining hands to protect the environment between Vietnam and the Netherlands, as well as the organization The Ocean Cleanup. and Can Tho City.

Objectives and results from the project contribute to improving the environmental quality and beauty of the Can Tho river.

“The effective operation of the Interceptor boat not only helps to protect the environment, protect the quality of surface water sources, but also contributes to the development and promotion of river tourism in Can Tho city, contributing to maintaining the reputation of Can Tho city.” The title “5th ASEAN environmentally sustainable city” received by Can Tho in 2021″, emphasized Mr. Hien.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of the garbage collection system on the Can Tho river, the Dutch ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman said that this is “the first river waste collection system appearing in Vietnam but not the last”. .

The ambassador hopes that the river waste collection project will continue to be implemented nationwide and around the world with the cooperation of The Ocean Cleanup organization and The Coca-Cola Company.

Automatic waste collection system on Can Tho river – Photo: TB

Mr. Tran Phong, director of the Southern Environmental Protection Department (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), said the ministry supported the river waste collection system to be replicated in Vietnamese rivers.

“It is also a roadmap to contribute to turning plastic waste collection and recycling into an industry, promoting the circular economy towards a sustainable green economy in Vietnam,” Phong said.

Interceptor 003 automatic waste collection system was launched on Can Tho river in December 2021, the system can automatically collect 10 tons of waste/month.