Ministry proposes fines of up to $40,700 for violations related to domestic solid waste

Workers classify domestic solid waste in Ninh Bình northern province. — VNA/VNS Photo Đức Phương

HÀ NỘI — Fines of between VNĐ900 million-1 billion (US$36,600-40,700) have been proposed for discharging domestic solid waste which contains radioactive substances, causing environmental contamination.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has also suggested fines of VNĐ500,000-1 million ($20-40) for households and individuals who do not properly classify domestic solid waste and do not use the right packaging for their waste, according to local authority’s regulations.

The proposal was shown by MoNRE in the draft decree amending and supplementing the Decree No 45/2022/NĐ-CP issued on July 7, 2022, which regulates administrative sanctions for violations related to environmental protection.

Fines of VNĐ40-60 million ($1,600-2,400) for waste collection agencies who did not use the correct vehicles to transport domestic solid waste are also suggested.

Companies who do not provide professional training and protective equipment for workers collecting and transporting domestic solid waste will be fined VNĐ5-10 million ($203-406).

Fines of VNĐ10-20 million ($406-811) will be given for collecting domestic solid waste at incorrect points.

Organisations using equipment that does not meet technical requirements on environmental protection, letting domestic solid waste fall, spreading dust, leaking wastewater into the environment during the collection and transportation process will be sanctioned VNĐ30-40 million ($1,200-1,600).

Fines from VNĐ50-60 million ($2,000-2,400) will be spent for not having signs and safety instructions in the landfill, not making records and handing over the site to the competent State agency after completing the pollution treatment and environmental improvement of the domestic solid waste landfill.

Organisations transferring, selling, burying, dumping, discharging or burning domestic solid waste from 60,000kg to less than 80,000kg will receive punishment of VNĐ100-150 million ($4,000-6,000).

The similar violations for solid waste of more than 100,000kg will be fined VNĐ200-250 million ($8,100-10,100).

The draft decree clearly states that the fines will be increased by 40-50 per cent in cases of environmental pollution or domestic solid waste containing hazardous environmental parameters exceeding environmental technical standards.

The total fine for each violation will not exceed VNĐ1 billion ($40,700).