10/01/2018
At present, in Việt Nam, landfilling is the most common solid waste treatment method. However, in many localities, landfills are facing a problem of overloading due to increasing amount of solid waste generated while these landfills are unsanitary and needs upgrading. To address landfill pollution and mitigate negative impact on human health, applications of geotechnical materials have been widely applied in many countries. To have better understanding about this issue, Vietnam Environmental Administration Magazine (VEM) has interviewed Chief Representative of GSE Group in Việt Nam, Trần Ngọc Hưng.
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| Mr. Trần Ngọc Hưng Chief Representative of GSE Group in Việt Nam |
VEM: Can you give some information on GSE Group and advantages of its geotechnical materials distributed in Việt Nam?
Mr. Trần Ngọc Hưng: Established in 1972 with its head office in Texas (US), GSE is the top business in manufacturing and delivering geotechnical materials. Geotechnical materials are synthesized materials used for stabilizing and strengthening soil ground and often are synthesized macromolecules (polymer with big size and weight molecules). Geotechnical materials include geotechnical covers, geotechnical nets, water proof canvas, synthesized clay, permeable nets, and geotechnical cells. Being macromolecule compounds, geotechnical materials are suitable for strengthening soil ground and durable. Geotechnical materials are widely applied in construction, transport, geology, environment, water resources and aquaculture. These materials can be used outdoors or underground.
In the past years, GSE has provided geotechnical materials for many big environmental works and projects in the world such as Peninsular landfill (Malaysia), Duke Energy cinder site (US), Corai Landfill (India), and mineral ore waste site Queensland (Australia). At present, GSE has seven manufacturing sites in America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In Asia alone, GES has two factories in Thai Land and China. GES is producing pioneering products such as conductive impermeable canvas, mixed permeable panels and thermal power plants solid waste underneath layers.
Geotechnical materials provided by GSE have good quality, stability, endurance (hundreds of years), advanced design and meet technical requirements of each works and mitigate environmental risks. With exceptional production capability, GES can provide geotechnical materials at a short notice to meet requirements of construction periods and other technical requirements. All GSE products are subject to biophysical standard review by internationally standardized laboratories before being delivered to customers. Therefore, GES is the first choice to ensure that landfills meet environmental and health requirements.
VEM: What is your assessment about applications of geotechnical materials in landfills in Việt Nam? Compared with other countries, what are advantages and disadvantages for Việt Nam to apply geotechnical materials?
Mr. Trần Ngọc Hưng: Applications of geotechnical materials remain limited. In my opinion, only 25-30% of landfills in Việt Nam meet construction technical standards. These standards are lower than those of Thailand, China, Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, after being closed, the landfills do not receive due attention for their environmental treatment, causing air pollution and bad odor in surrounding community. Việt Nam has advantages in developing geotechnical materials. Given that the Government of Việt Nam attaches importance to environmental protection, geotechnical materials stand a good chance to be more widely applied to help mitigate pollution. Vietnam investors and environmental managers can apply geotechnical materials which have been tested and applied successfully in other countries. However, a challenge is high investment costs. Some investors may reduce the costs by using cheap and low quality materials.
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| Geotechnical materials used for consolidating road grounds in weak soil structure such as wetlands, dykes, irrigation systems and embankments |
VEM: What is your recommendation for promoting applications of geotechnical materials in pollution treatment in landfills?
Mr. Trần Ngọc Hưng: To ensure quality of landfills, it is important to select appropriate materials. Construction contractors should by suitable materials recommended by producers. In addition, they should use materials which could be tested and checked before finishing the contracts.
To promote geotechnical materials in Việt Nam, state management authorities need to issue specific technical regulations on design and building environmental works. These regulations need to be complied with during the whole project cycle. Environmental standards should be mandatory for all projects, in particular for landfills. In addition, domestic production of geotechnical materials needs enabling policies so that it can provide steady supply and reduces the costs. In the meantime, calling for overseas investors and producers to manufacture geotechnical materials in Việt Nam should be made, in particulars for well-known companies, to contribute to green, clean, beautiful and sustainable environment.
VEM: Thank you!
Giáng Hương (Implemented)
