Vietnam Hanoi Proposes Barring Straw, Agro By-products Burning

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi has recommended the municipal People’s Committee issue a directive to ban burning straw, agricultural by-products, and solid waste, as an attempt to ease negative impacts on the environment, local media reported. Specifically, local authorities are requested to support residents in handling straw and by-products in environment-friendly ways by the end of 2020. Also, entire straw and by-products must be collected, reused, or handled per environmental techniques from January 1, next year. Hanoi produces around one million tons of straw and agricultural by-products per year, of which 37% is burnt on the fields or dyke slopes, according to the department. This is also one of the main causes for worsening air pollution in the city. (Ha Noi Moi, Hanoi Moi, Tai Nguyen Moi Truong)