In her efforts to turn the Khanh Son Landfill into a safe and environmentally friendly waste treatment center, Phan Thi Bich Thao, a student of the Faculty of Architecture of the Da Nang Polytechnic University has successfully conducted research into a project called "A Center for waste treatment and recycling, turning trash into products ".

Beating nearly 100 other entries of university students nationwide, Da Nang student’s project won the first prize in the 2023 Student Green Architecture Award which was co-launched by the Viet Nam Institute of Green Urban Research and Development, and Golden Lotus Group.

The project "A Center for waste treatment and recycling, turning trash into products" developed by student Phan Thi Bich Thao won the first prize at the Student Green Architecture Award 2023. Photo: H.V

Talking about her project, Thao said that according to her study, recent years have witnessed the increasing amount of household solid waste generated annually in the city. According to predictions, the city's domestic solid waste generation by 2025 will be over 1,800 tons a day, 2,400 tons a day by 2030, and 3,000 tons a day by 2040.

“I am especially interested in environmental issues as I spent a long time participating in many activities and competitions related to waste management during my studies. Above all, I was born and raised near the Khanh Son Landfill located in Lien Chieu District that motivated me to develop a practical idea to build a solid waste treatment plant, with the purpose of solving the environmental and public health issues. At the same time, the project not only targets to solve the city’s waste problem but also wants to increase the knowledge and awareness of local residents, including college students, on environmental issues. I'm really happy about my first-prize winning project, and hope that my project idea will be turned into reality in the future," Thao said.

Thao’s proposed waste treatment plant will use the Danish technology that is suitable to solid waste generation in Viet Nam as this technology has been used successfully by the Dap Da waste treatment and recycling facility located in Dong Thap Province. The solution of such a wastewater treatment plant uses natural systems in order keep the facility cool through natural ventilation, and bring more natural light into this facility.

Solid waste will go through treatment process in such a waste treatment plant. Firstly, garbage is transferred to the input area where it is put into containers and then go through the classification process. During this process, hazardous waste will be removed and the remainder will continue to be classified into organic and plastic waste and inert residue, in which, material residues will be continuously fed into the incinerator to produce ash which will be then solidified and converted into unburnt bricks used for street pavements. Meanwhile, plastic waste will be broken down into microplastic particles at the finished goods warehouse. Organic waste will be used for composting to make fertilizer.

Thao said that the advantage of such a waste treatment plant is the use of pristine waste treatment solution to turn trash into valuable products. At the same time, the waste treatment plant features a closed treatment system in a bid to solve the odor problem while recycling all waste and converting it into useful products, as well as keeping trash out of the landfill. Meanwhile, the disadvantages of building this plant are terrain-related issues as the site to be chosen for building it must be located near the foot of a mountain to ensure compliance with environmental health and safety regulations while unflat area will need excavation work, contributing to higher construction costs.

In addition, the waste treatment center will also feature two areas dedicated to exhibition and creative startups. The exhibition area will display products from recycled materials, and it is expected to be an ideal place to raise public awareness about environmental protection. Meanwhile, the startup space aims to encourage creativity and innovation in the workplace with a focus on promoting effective communication and relationships at work, as well as creating a happy working environment for the plant’s employees.

Associate Professor, Dr. Architect Nguyen Anh Tuan, the Dean of Faculty of Architecture of the Da Nang Polytechnic University, an instructor of student Thao highlighted the practical benefits of Trang-developed project for Da Nang, and the country as a whole, that confers many advantages, like conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and minimize waste disposal in landfills. Furthermore, the human project aims to develop community cohesion. More just than a solid waste treatment project, Trang aims to bring green architecture and life to everyone, as well to take good care of people of all ages. Trang’s project idea meets the five criteria of the Student Green Architecture Award, namely creativity, sustainable location, green technology, sustainable materials, community - humanity - a strong sense of national identity.

Reporting by HUYNH VU – translating by H.L