The Hanoi People's Committee on June 20 launched a new fleet of modern environmental sanitation vehicles and equipment in four central urban districts.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh emphasized the city's strong focus in recent years on improving environmental sanitation.

According to Thanh, Hanoi has actively implemented national policies on scientific and technological advancement, innovation, digital transformation, air quality management, and the use of green energy.

These efforts align with Vietnam's commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as pledged at COP26.

Hanoi has already brought into operation two major waste-to-energy plants: Thien Y in Soc Son District and Seraphin in Son Tay Town.

Together, they process over 6,200 tons of waste daily and generate 120 megawatts of electricity, effectively managing the city's daily household waste.

Hanoi also operates six wastewater treatment plants, currently treating about 30.9% of domestic wastewater.

When the Yen Xa plant is completed in 2025, this figure is expected to rise to 50%.

However, the city still faces major challenges in air pollution.

Hanoi is home to 10 industrial zones, 318 craft villages, nearly 1.2 million cars, and over seven million motorbikes – more than 70% of which are over 10 years old – all contributing to air pollution alongside construction activities and agricultural by-product burning.

To tackle these issues, the city has expanded its green space, built an air quality monitoring network, applied modern technology for pollution control, established low-emission zones, promoted electric vehicles, banned coal stoves, enforced regulations against rice straw burning, and other measures.

Chairman Thanh noted that the application of advanced technology in environmental sanitation is a top priority for the city.

The launch of 100 new vehicles and devices – all meeting Euro 6 emissions standards or powered by electricity – will not only improve labor productivity but also reduce pollution.

He emphasized that this event marks not only a technological upgrade but also a shift in mindset and management methods in the city's approach to sanitation.

He praised the efforts of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, Hanoi Urban Environment Company (Urenco), and the local governments and communities of the four participating districts of Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and Dong Da and Thien Y Environmental Energy Company, for their thorough preparations.

Thanh called on all sanitation workers to take ownership of the new equipment and operate it safely and effectively.

He also encouraged all levels of government, community organizations, and citizens to join hands in protecting the environment.

The chairman instructed the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment to monitor implementation closely and deliver a comprehensive assessment after one year. The results will inform whether to expand the program citywide in 2026.

He reaffirmed the city's commitment to continue investing in and supporting sanitation efforts, contributing to Hanoi's vision of becoming a modern, green, clean, and livable capital.

Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, pledged to coordinate with other departments, local governments, and related units to ensure the new equipment is used efficiently and safely.

He also emphasized the department's role in advising the city on policies that encourage technological innovation, with the goal of gradually mechanizing, automating, and digitizing urban environmental management.

The department will increase inspections and performance evaluations to detect and address any problems promptly.

It also plans to promote public awareness campaigns to encourage better sanitation practices and foster a sense of community responsibility to keep Hanoi clean and beautiful in every street and neighborhood.

On this occasion, Urenco and Thien Y Environmental Energy Company officially introduced and deployed modern sanitation equipment, including electric street sweepers, high-pressure washers, smart waste-sorting vehicles, monitoring systems, and at-source waste sorting facilities, all aimed at improving the city's environmental hygiene.