Joint Circular No. 01/2001/TTLT/BKHCNMT-BXD guiding environmental protection regulations for the selection of sites, construction, and operation of solid waste landfills.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for environmental protection regulations concerning the selection of sites, construction, and operation of solid waste landfills.

Selecting sites, constructing, and operating solid waste landfills.

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Implementing the functions and tasks of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment as stipulated in Decree No. 22/CP dated May 22, 1993 of the Government on the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment, and those of the Ministry of Construction as stipulated in Decree No. 15/CP dated March 4, 1994 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Construction.

To meet the urgent needs in the current situation regarding urban and industrial solid waste disposal, to limit pollution, and protect the environment.

The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and the Ministry of Construction provide guidelines for environmental protection regulations concerning the selection of sites, construction, and operation of solid waste landfills as follows:

This technical regulation sets out technical requirements, testing methods, sampling procedures; management requirements; responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading, and importing cigarettes.

1. Scope of regulation and applicable subjects:

1.1. Scope of Application:

This Circular guides the implementation of environmental protection regulations in the selection of sites, construction, and operation of solid waste landfills.

1.2. Types of Solid Waste Not Within the Scope of Application of This Circular include: hazardous solid wastes listed in the Hazardous Waste Management Regulation issued together with Decision No. 155/1999/QD-TTg dated July 16, 1999 of the Prime Minister, and other hazardous solid wastes determined by competent state agencies according to the Hazardous Waste Management Regulation.

1.3. Applicability:

This Circular applies to state management agencies for investment and construction, and state management agencies for environmental protection (hereinafter referred to as CQQLNNMT); organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, engaged in environmental service work, construction, and operation of solid waste landfills (including solid waste landfills managed by production facilities).

2. Definitions:

Strategic multi-purpose hydropower plant

2.1. Solid Waste Landfill (hereinafter referred to as BCL): A designated area or plot of land that has been planned, selected, designed, and constructed for the purpose of disposing of solid waste to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

BCL includes waste disposal cells, buffer zones, and auxiliary facilities such as water treatment plants, exhaust gas treatment plants, power supply, water supply, and administrative offices.

2.2. Solid Waste (hereinafter referred to as CTR): Solid waste generated from activities in urban areas and industrial zones, including residential waste, waste from urban commercial and service activities, hospitals, industrial waste, and construction waste.

2.3. Leachate: Water produced during the natural decomposition of solid waste, containing pollutants.

2.4. Exhaust Gas from Disposal Cells: A mixture of gases produced from disposal cells due to the natural decomposition of solid waste.

2.5. Buffer Zone: A strip of land surrounding the BCL aimed at separating and reducing the adverse effects of the BCL on the environment.

2.6. Liner Layer: Layers of materials spread over the entire bottom and side surfaces surrounding the disposal cell to prevent and reduce the seepage of leachate into underground water layers.

2.7. Cover Layer: A layer of material covering the entire BCL during operation and upon closure of the landfill to prevent and reduce the impact of disposal cells on the surrounding environment and vice versa.

2.8. Exhaust Gas Collection System: A system of structures and equipment for collecting exhaust gases generated from the BCL to prevent and reduce air pollution and the risk of fire and explosion.

2.9. Leachate Collection System: A system of structures including collection layers, pipelines, and drainage channels to collect leachate and direct it to centralized pits or treatment stations.

2.10. Protective Barrier: A system of walls, fences, green belts, or barriers of a certain height surrounding the BCL to limit the impact of solid waste disposal activities on the surrounding environment.

2.11. Operation Period of BCL: The entire period from the start of solid waste disposal to the closure of the BCL.

2.12. Closure of BCL: The complete cessation of solid waste disposal activities at the BCL.

2.13. Surface Water and Rainwater Drainage System: A system for collecting surface water and rainwater and directing them to designated locations to prevent external surface water from entering the disposal cells.

2.14. BCL Investor: An organization or individual, either Vietnamese or foreign, responsible for managing and providing capital for the construction of the BCL.

2.15. BCL Operator: An organization or individual, either Vietnamese or foreign, responsible before the investor for managing the exploitation and use of the BCL.

2.16. Professional Organization for BCL Inspection: An entity with legal personality conducting supervision, testing, sampling, and analysis of components and indicators related to BCL operations.

II. SELECTION OF SITES, INVESTMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS

1. General principles:

Investment preparation, implementation, and construction of BCL must comply with Decree No. 52/1999/NĐ-CP dated July 8, 1999 of the Government on the issuance of the Investment and Construction Management Regulation (referred to as Decree 52/CP), Decree No. 12/CP dated May 5, 2000 of the Government amending some articles of Decree 52/CP (referred to as Decree 12/CP), the provisions of this Circular, and other legal documents on investment and construction.

When approving an investment project for BCL, there must be approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (as per Appendix II of Circular No. 490/1998/TT-BKHCNMT dated April 29, 1998 of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment guiding the preparation and review of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports for investment projects).

2. Requirements for Selection of BCL Sites

2.1. The BCL site must be determined based on construction regulations approved by competent state authorities.

2.2. The distance from the BCL to residential areas and urban zones is specified in Appendix 1 of this Circular.

2.3. Site selection must be based on natural, economic, social factors, and technical infrastructure systems in the proposed BCL construction area (as stipulated in Appendix 2 of this Circular).

3. Selection of BCL Models

Depending on the characteristics of each type of waste to be buried and the topographical features of each area, the following BCL models may be selected: dry landfill, wet landfill, mixed dry-wet landfill, floating landfill, submerged landfill, combined floating-submerged landfill, and landfill in mountain crevices (specifically provided for in Appendix 3).

4. Scale of BCL area:

4.1. The scale of the BCL area is determined based on:

a. Current population, current amount of waste, population growth rate, and waste generation rate throughout the operational period of the BCL.

b. Economic growth potential and urban development orientation.

4.2. The design of the BCL must ensure that the total thickness of the landfill from bottom to top can range from 15 meters to 25 meters, depending on the type of BCL and surrounding landscape conditions.

4.3. The ratio of construction area for auxiliary facilities: roads, embankments, drainage systems, water supply systems, warehouses, parking areas, workshops, sedimentation ponds, wastewater treatment ponds, green belt fences, and other auxiliary facilities within the BCL should account for approximately 20% of the total landfill area.

Based on the above characteristics, establish the scale of BCLs according to Table 2 in Appendix 4 attached hereto.

5. Selection process for BCL.

The selection of BCL sites is carried out through the following four steps:

- Step 1: Collect relevant documents related to BCL requirements, the volume of waste to be buried, and projected future volumes. The level of investigation required when establishing a BCL project is specified in Appendix 5 of this Circular.

- Step 2: Determine the options for locations capable of building BCLs. These positions may be considered and proposed based on the study and analysis of topographic maps, geological maps, hydrogeological maps, existing land use maps, and the current distribution of residents. Conduct field surveys.

- Step 3: Compare and select options with BCL criteria and eliminate some planned sites. In this step, officially select the remaining sites based on detailed comparisons and evaluations using technical, economic, and social criteria, applying map overlay methods, and scoring criteria. To implement this step, comprehensive current environmental investigation materials, natural characteristics, and socio-economic data of all planned sites are required. From this, score each factor for each site and choose the most suitable location.

- Step 4: Sketch and simulate the chosen site option

Regarding the basic construction works of the BCL are stipulated in Appendix 6 attached hereto.

III- OPERATING THE WASTE LANDFILL

1. Operation phase of the BCL

1.1. Waste transported to the BCL must be inspected and sorted (at the weighing station) and immediately buried, not exceeding 24 hours. Waste must be buried in the designated cells corresponding to each type of waste. For BCLs receiving more than 20,000 tons (or 50,000 m³) of waste per year, it is essential to install electronic scales to control the quantity of waste.

1.2. The operator of the BCL must accurately identify the types of waste permitted to be buried upon receipt at the BCL and must maintain a registration log for periodic annual tracking according to the following items:

a. Name of the driver transporting the waste.

b. Characteristics of the waste, if it is sludge, the solid content must be clearly recorded.

c. Quantity of waste.

d. Time (day, month, year) of waste transportation.

e. Source of waste generation, if it is industrial waste, the name of the factory or enterprise must be clearly recorded.

Records and related documents must be retained and preserved by the BCL Management Board during operation and for at least five years after closure of the BCL.

1.3. Waste must be buried in separate layers and separated by soil cover layers.

a. After acceptance for burial, waste must be evenly spread and compacted (using a compaction machine 6 to 8 times) into layers with a maximum thickness of 60 cm, ensuring a minimum density of 0.52 to 0.8 tons/m³.

after compaction.

b. Intermediate soil cover must be applied on the surface of the waste when it has been compacted (in layers) with a height ranging from 2.0 m to 2.2 m. The thickness of the soil cover layer must reach 20 cm. The soil cover layer should account for approximately 10% to 15% of the total volume of waste and soil cover.

c. Soil cover must have a clay particle content > 30%, sufficiently moist for easy compaction. The soil cover layer must be evenly spread over the waste layer and after thorough compaction, it should have a thickness of about 15 cm to 20 cm.

1.4. In addition to soil cover, materials meeting the following conditions may also be used as intermediate cover material between layers of waste:^-4a. Permeability coefficient ≤ 1 x 10

cm/s and at least 20% of its volume must be ≤ 0.08 mm in size.

b. Must have the following properties:

- Ability to prevent odors.

- Non-flammable and non-explosive.

- Ability to prevent insect and animal digging.

- Ability to prevent the dispersion of light waste materials.

1.5. Fly ash from thermal power plants must be buried according to specialized technical guidelines.

1.6. Burial cells must be sprayed with insecticides (not in liquid form). The number of sprays will depend on the degree of insect development to appropriately limit insect proliferation.

1.7. Transport vehicles after dumping waste into the BCL must be cleaned before leaving the BCL premises.

1.8. The collection and treatment system for leachate must operate continuously and be regularly inspected, maintained, repaired, and cleaned to ensure designed capacity. Sedimentation tanks must be dredged and the sludge transferred to appropriate treatment areas.

Raw leachate is not allowed to be discharged directly into the environment if pollutant concentrations exceed prescribed standards (TCVN).

1.9. It is permissible to recycle raw leachate from the BCL collection system or thick sludge generated from the wastewater treatment system back onto the BCL to enhance waste decomposition under the following conditions:

a. The thickness of the waste layer being buried must be greater than 4 m.

b. Uniform sprinkling techniques must be applied on the surface.

c. Not applicable to areas of the burial cell where final covering has already been completed.

2. Closure phase of the BCL

a. The amount of waste buried in the landfill has reached its maximum designed capacity according to technical specifications.

b. The landfill operator does not have the ability to continue operating the landfill.

c. Closure of the landfill for other reasons.

In all cases, the landfill operator must send a notification letter to the competent authority on environmental protection regarding the closure time of the landfill.

2.2. Procedures for closing the landfill:

a. The top soil cover layer must contain more than 30% clay content, ensure standard moisture levels, and be carefully compacted with a thickness greater than or equal to 60 cm. The slope from the base to the top of the landfill should gradually increase from 3% to 5%, ensuring good drainage and preventing landslides, subsidence, followed by:

- A cushion layer made of common sand with a thickness of 50 cm to 60 cm.

- A planting soil layer (natural soil layer) with a thickness of 20 cm to 30 cm.

- Planting grass and greenery.

b. For large landfills, it is necessary to simultaneously operate the landfill while constructing new burial cells and closing full cells. Therefore, all works must comply with the regulations specified above for each stage.

2.3. Within six months from the date of landfill closure, the landfill operator must report to the competent authority on environmental protection about the current status of the landfill. This report must be conducted by an independent specialized organization in the field of environment, including the following contents:

a. The operational status, effectiveness, and operability of all facilities within the landfill, including: the landfill's anti-seepage system, wastewater collection and treatment system, surface water management system, groundwater management system, exhaust gas collection system, as well as the entire groundwater quality monitoring system, etc.

b. The situation of wastewater quality monitoring from the landfill into the environment, groundwater quality, and exhaust gas emissions.

c. Compliance with the current provisions of this Circular, as well as restoration and improvement of the landscape in the landfill area. The report must clearly indicate non-compliance cases with the provisions of this Circular and propose remedial measures.

2.4. After landfill closure, it is still prohibited to allow people and livestock to enter freely, especially at the top of the landfill where gas accumulates. Safety signs and instructions must be installed in the landfill.

3. Environmental Monitoring of the Landfill

3.1. General Provisions

Any landfill, regardless of size or location in plains or mountainous areas, must monitor the environment and organize the tracking of environmental changes.

a. Environmental monitoring includes air, water, soil, and ecosystem monitoring, occupational health, and community health in nearby areas.

b. The locations of monitoring stations need to be set up at characteristic points that can identify environmental changes caused by the landfill.

c. For landfills, automatic monitoring stations must be arranged.

3.2. Water Quality Monitoring Stations

a. Surface water:

- At least two surface water monitoring stations must be arranged in each landfill at the receiving water flow of the landfill.

+ The first station is located upstream of the landfill discharge outlet from 15 m to 20 m.

+ The second station is located downstream of the landfill discharge outlet from 15 m to 20 m.

- If there are water reservoirs within a 1000 m radius, an additional station must be set up at the water reservoir.

b. Groundwater:

- Groundwater monitoring stations are arranged along the direction of groundwater flow from the upstream to the downstream of the landfill, requiring at least four boreholes (one borehole upstream and three boreholes downstream). Monitoring should include both the unsaturated zone and the saturated zone.

- For each residential point around the landfill, at least one monitoring station (well or borehole) must be arranged.

c. Wastewater:

The positions of monitoring stations must be arranged to ensure comprehensive monitoring of wastewater quality at the inlet and outlet of the treatment area. Specifically:

- One station is placed before entering the treatment system.

- One station is placed after treatment, before discharging into the surrounding environment.

3.5. Monitoring Cycle: For automatic monitoring stations, monitoring and data updates must be conducted daily. When there are no automatic monitoring stations, the positions and frequency of monitoring should be reasonably designed based on whether the landfill is in operation or closed, ensuring the tracking of all environmental changes caused by the landfill's activities, specifically as follows:

a. During the operational period, monitoring should be conducted:

- Flow rate (surface water, wastewater): every 2 months.

- Chemical composition: every 4 months.

b. During the closure period:

- In the first year: every 3 months.

- From subsequent years: 2 to 3 times per year.

Note: When sampling from groundwater monitoring boreholes, the water must be circulated for at least 30 minutes before sampling.

c. Analytical criteria and comparison of chemical composition:

According to Vietnam's environmental standards (TCVN).

d. It may be necessary to collect and analyze rainwater samples annually at the beginning of the rainy season.

3.4. Air Quality Monitoring Stations

a. Locations of monitoring stations:

Air quality monitoring stations are arranged as follows: Inside the facilities and work buildings within the landfill, a minimum network of 4 external air monitoring points must be arranged outside the facilities and work buildings within the landfill.

b. Monitoring schedule (when there are no automatic monitoring stations): every 3 months.

c. Measured parameters: dust, noise, temperature, exhaust gases according to Vietnam's standards (TCVN).

3.5. Health Monitoring of Workers: Employees working at the landfill must undergo regular health checks, at least every 6 months.

3.6. Measurement Points (Monitoring Stations): Measurement points (stations) must be fixed and marked. For groundwater monitoring stations, detailed designs are required, which can refer to the diagram (see Appendix 7).

3.7. Slope Monitoring, Subsidence Monitoring of Cover Layer, and Vegetation Monitoring: When there are no automatic monitoring stations, this should be done twice a year. Immediate adjustments should be made if issues arise.

3.8. Reporting Schedule: Annually, the landfill management unit must submit a report on the current environmental status of the landfill to the competent authorities on environmental protection.

3.9. Reporting Documents: In addition to measurement and monitoring results, geological and hydrological reports, engineering geology reports, detailed descriptions of the operation of water, waste, gas collection systems, slopes, etc., must also be included.

3.10. Costs: Costs for building and maintaining the environmental monitoring network are included in the construction and operation costs of the landfill.

3.10. Costs: The costs for construction, environmental monitoring networks shall be included in the construction and operation costs of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (BCL).

3.11. Duration of operation: The operation time of the monitoring network starts from when the WTP begins to operate until it is closed. After closing the WTP, sampling for analysis must continue for five years; if the quality of the samples analyzed is below the TCVN standard, the sampling and monitoring station operations will be terminated.

3.12. Measuring equipment and measurement methods:

The measuring equipment and measurement methods must be consistent. Depending on advancements in science and technology, monitoring stations may be equipped with automation and connected to the control room of the site.

4. Environmental quality inspection of construction projects.

4.1. Environmental inspection work during construction, operation, and closure of the WTP must be conducted regularly.

4.2. Among the items that need to be inspected for environmental quality, particular attention should be paid to inspecting anti-seepage systems, waste water collection and treatment systems, biogas collection, evaluation, and removal systems, as well as groundwater monitoring wells and surface water monitoring stations. Inspection work must be carried out both on-site and in laboratories, according to each item and at appropriate times to ensure that materials and equipment used in the WTP meet Vietnam's environmental standards (TCVN).

4.3. All materials and equipment used in constructing anti-seepage systems or installing systems mentioned in Part II must be objectively inspected by specialized staff to meet environmental requirements.

4.4. Specialized staff responsible for environmental quality inspection and supervision must submit reports on results after each phase and investment project item listed in Part II to the competent authority for environmental management to promptly identify any violations of environmental standards in the design, construction, and operation of the WTP and propose corrective measures.

4.5. Equipment used for environmental quality inspection must comply with national and international standards.

5. Reuse of WTP land area.

5.1. When planning and designing the WTP, consideration must be given to the possibility of reusing the landfill area after closure, such as maintaining the current state of the WTP, converting it into a park, recreational area, sports field, parking lot, or planting greenery.

5.2. To reuse the WTP, an environmental factor survey and assessment must be conducted; only if conditions are met can reuse proceed.

5.3. During the waiting period for the reuse of the WTP land area, waste water and gas treatment operations must continue normally.

5.4. After closing the WTP, monitoring of environmental changes at monitoring stations must still be conducted.

5.5. After closing the WTP, a topographic map of the WTP area must be recreated.

5.6. After closing the WTP, a comprehensive report on its operational procedures must be prepared, proposing active measures to control the environment in subsequent years.

5.7. Procedures for transferring the land area of the WTP to relevant authorities for continued management and reuse must be completed.

5.8. When reusing the WTP, strict inspections of gas recovery boreholes must be conducted. Only when the pressure in the gas boreholes is no longer different from atmospheric pressure and the gas concentration does not exceed 5% can the area be leveled.

IV- IMPLEMENTATION

1. Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment:

1.1. Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to organize the dissemination, guidance, and inspection of the implementation of this Circular.

1.2. Direct provincial and centrally-administered city Science, Technology, and Environment Departments to carry out the following tasks:

a. Conduct geological and hydrological surveys, engineering geology, and environmental conditions of the planned areas to serve as a basis for WTP design and construction, supervise and urge investors to prepare and submit environmental impact assessments of the WTP for approval by the competent authority for environmental management.

b. Coordinate with Construction Departments and Transportation Departments to guide the implementation of current Vietnamese environmental regulations in the design, construction, and operation of WTPs.

2. The Ministry of Construction:

2.1. Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to guide the planning of WTP construction sites, establish and promulgate design and construction standards for WTPs that ensure environmental hygiene.

2.2. Direct Construction Departments and Transportation Departments to coordinate with Science, Technology, and Environment Departments to guide the implementation of current Vietnamese environmental regulations in selecting locations, designing, constructing, and operating WTPs.

3. Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government

Within their functions and powers, direct the organization and implementation of the provisions of this Circular within their jurisdiction.

This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of issuance.

During the implementation of this Circular, if difficulties or obstacles arise, localities, organizations, and individuals must promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment and the Ministry of Construction for research, revision, and supplementation to make them suitable.