Importing illegal waste that is difficult to control and manage

A large amount of hazardous waste is still illegally transported across the border from developed countries to developing countries, including Vietnam.

Waste is transported to Vietnam

Border officials often open containers imported from a developed country and look at hazardous wastes and old electronic components inside.

A report from the Basel Convention Secretariat on Transboundary Control of hazardous waste shows that 50 million tons of hazardous waste is produced each year globally and 8 million tons are transported between countries. gia.

These numbers are discovered for illegal shipments, while actual numbers may be higher. Most hazardous waste is transported from Europe to Africa and some Asian countries.

A large number of second-hand TVs and electronics from Japan have been shipped to China and Vietnam.

Waste is traded between the most recyclable countries, especially metal scrap, including non-ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, slag and scrap metal and other wastes from engines and vehicles. vehicles and wrecks.

It is estimated that 3 million tons of scrap and hazardous waste are imported into Vietnam each year. This waste is made from about 1,000 compounds containing heavy metals and macromolecular organic substances harmful to human health.

According to Hai Phong Customs Department, the city's ports now have 5,000 containers of imported goods without clearance because no one has received it.

In particular, 1,353 containers were checked and 104 containers were found to contain scrap, old computers and electronic devices.

Other items included 1,085 used rubber tires and 164 old container bags.

Previously, customs authorities had discovered that Cuu Long Vinashin Joint Stock Company imported 3 transformers from South Korea and one of them was found to contain 7,000 liters of waste oil with PCB, a very toxic substance. harm (immediately after the dioxin).

According to C49 Police, the high profit from the waste trade has led to the creation of transnational criminal organizations. On the other hand, the demand for scrap used as raw materials and equipment is very high. Therefore, more and more waste is still imported.

Currently, import and export laws are regulated by laws, including the Law on Environmental Protection, the Commercial Law, the Customs Law and the Maritime Law. However, there is no policy of cooperation between state management agencies in controlling the import of waste.

According to GDC, to solve the problem, there must be a clear legal framework for businesses but close enough to eliminate loopholes for illegal business.

There must also be a licensing system and a quota mechanism for goods that may cause harm to the environment subject to import restrictions.