Vietnamese households that fail to classify their domestic solid waste will be fined VND500,000 (US$21)-VND1 million ($43) as per a new regulation that will take effect on August 25.

The decree, freshly signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, states that household solid waste must be sorted and bagged accordingly.

Violations of the decree expose households to fines ranging from VND500,000 to VND1 million.

The director of a Hanoi-based environment company commented during a discussion with reporters on Tuesday afternoon on the importance of educating residents about waste classification prior to implementing punishments.

“Sorting waste makes it easier for sanitation workers to do their job,” said the director, who preferred to stay anonymous.

"It also adds economic values to the community because many types of waste are highly recyclable and can be used as fertilizer and to generate electricity."

While domestic waste segregation is common in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, already-classified garbage is often mixed back together before being treated, the director added.

Pursuant to the new fiat, a fine of VND20-25 million ($854-1,067) will be levied on establisments that fail to classify industrial solid waste.

Project owners and urban area management boards that do not arrange equipment, vehicles, and venues for household solid waste classification and do not organize the collection of such waste from households in accordance with the regulation will face a penalty of VND200-300 million ($8,540-12,810).

Construction of urban areas and residential projects without separate rainwater and wastewater drainage networks, or a synchronous wastewater collection and treatment system, will subject the developers to fines from VND200 million to VND250 million ($10,675).

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