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Vietnam's Cutt-off Import of Waste Shipments on the basis of International Environmental Law |
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by Rosa Domingos | 30-07-2018 21:38
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In a previous article I typed called ´The Birth of a new International Environmental Law for Brazil and the World´, I unmasked the term ´International Law´ and how it was applied to the new forest law of Brazil´s Amazon Forest. Now, just to revolt our memory to the concept, International Environmental Law is a laws set in place as a standard for organisations, unions and even governments to establish and, moreover, manage natural resources and environment quality. And what?s great about these laws are that the standards set forth in environmental laws can apply to either private parties or the government. Vietnam´s build-up of waste containers at its ports One country that has had enough of importing waste shipments is Vietnam. Vietnam has now set a mandate to stop the issuing of new licences for the import of waste and crack down on illegal shipments as thousands of containers of paper, plastic and metal scrap build up at the country´s ports, raising concerns about the environment. This is due to the significant rise in waste imports since the Chinese government banned the entry of several types of solid wastes from the beginning of this year, according to Vietnam´s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. This has now caused a big surge of waste at the Vietnamese ports (around 6000 containers to be exact) and now they sit at the entry points and they need to be sorted.  Figure 1: Vietnam News; containers are being stacking up at the entry of the Vietnam port at the wake of the new statement to stop issuing licences for the import of waste shipments. Why waste shipments Among other things, waste-processing is a supplemental source of raw materials for Vietnam´s paper, plastic and steel industries and the demand for paper and plastic scraps as materials for production does exist, but this benefits only the processors, not the environment. The implications of the current 6000 shipments On Wednesday, a government statement by the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc saying that will Vietnam will track down the owners of the containers piling up at its ports and launch criminal investigations into any illegal imports or violations of environment law. Pollution has (and still is) a political risk in Vietnam to the point where nationwide protests have been held to save trees and against a steel firm accused of polluting the sea. Not only that… But one of Vietnam´s worst environmental disasters happened in 2016, when a steel plant being developed by Taiwan´s Formosa Plastics Corp contaminated coastal waters and unleashed an outpouring of anger throughout the country. I believe that the countries shutting up their ports from having waste dumped into their countries have set a global example as how such matters of waste should be dealt with. Whether 3rd world or 1st world, no country should be given the right to disposed of their waste onto another country and no country should accept waste being disposed on their environment, even if it means that they lose out on the profit gained. One should really think of the generations to come and what they will have to deal with once we are gone, while looking for sustainable solutions now. Reference List Vu,. K. 2018. Vietnam to limit waste imports as shipments build up at ports. [Online]. Available:https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vietnam-to-limit-waste-imports-as-shipments-build-up-at-ports/. Accessed: July 29, 2018. July 29, 2018. Figure 1 Vietnam News. 2015. Imported waste faces checks. [Online]. Available: https://vietnamnews.vn/society/272736/imported-waste-faces-checks.html#7IlfYIwowbUxCxMt.97. Accessed: July 29, 2018. July 08, 2015. (& Cover picture) |
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5 Comments
Greetings rosa
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Sus
Posted 15-03-2020 16:35
Hi Joon!
One must realise that once a law is not reflect results as it should, that once needs to amend it. I do believe that what was done here is just stopping the leak, which is great but for how long? But, I think changes should be made for future reference.
And you're welcome!
Posted 02-08-2018 16:46
Hello Rosa, existent phenomena and happenings urge us to change or modify the past laws. Though laws were regulated to restrict certain behavior of citizens to stop harassment and danger toward environment and our lives, it needs changes as time passes.
It is reckless to keep the past laws as just they were, and upgraded version of laws are in need.
THanks for your report, and we may think of this problem too
Posted 02-08-2018 16:04
Hey Gyeongrin!
It's wonderful that such law enforcement is present, it really gives other countries a benchmark from which they should follow suit!
And you're welcome! )
Posted 02-08-2018 14:15
Hello Rosa
These restricting laws are actually showing signs! More nations are now feeling the waste problem right in the face, demanding immediate better waste management policies. In our country, now it is mandatory not to use plastic cups in cafes (except take-outs). It was announced that if caught, the owner will be fined.
Thanks for the report!
Posted 02-08-2018 11:54