Solid Waste Management Practices in the Street Food Sector in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

A survey on the solid waste management practices of the street food sector was conducted in Thủ Đức District, Ho Chi Minh City. All the street food vendors in the area were recorded, classified according to the nature of their stalls, and also categorized according to the type of food vended. A survey by interview was conducted with 62 random stalls to determine the solid waste management practices of the street food vendors and their customers. Waste samples from 32 different stalls were collected for weight and volume measurements as well as visual determination of waste composition. About 1158 stalls were recorded in the area, generating about 8.20 - 12.66 tons of wastes per day, roughly 3% – 5% of the total municipal solid waste in the district. Biodegradable waste accounted for about 89% by weight followed by non-biodegradable wastes, and recyclable wastes at 7% and 4% respectively. Reused grocery bags were the most common waste receptacle used by vendors. Segregation is limited to the materials that vendors can reuse or that the informal sector of recyclers buy and is prevalent only in stalls selling beverages, with plastic bottles and metal cans as the most recycled components. The rest of the wastes are commonly wrapped in bags or in burlap sacks for bulky wastes and left on roadsides awaiting collection.

Keywords: street food, street food vendors, mobile vendors, hawkers, street food vending, solid waste management, food waste