Thang Loi Textile and Garment fined for environment pollution

By Van Nam - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - HCMC has imposed an administrative fine of VND114 million on Thang Loi Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company in Tan Phu District for violating regulations on environmental protection. According to a decision issued by the city government early this month, Thang Loi wastewater failed to meet the standards and discharged untreated smoke by between 2,000-8,000 cubic meters per hour causing air pollution. The company did not properly implement its commitments to environmental impact appraisement in the production process. In addition to the administrative fine, the city government asked Thang Loi to quickly repair its wastewater and smoke treatment facilities as soon as possible so that all of the discharged wastewater and industrial smoke can be properly treated. In a related development, the city government has fined Saigon Paper Joint Stock Company in District 10 about VND180 million for violating several regulations on environmental protection. The paper producer failed to treat and transport its harmful waste properly. In recent years, the pollution of waterways around the city’s suburban areas has been worsening. Untreated industrial wastewater from many of garment, textile, paper and foodstuff enterprises is the main culprit. The city is struggling with some environmental pollution hotpots in outlying areas such as those around Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park in Hoc Mon District and Le Minh Xuan Industrial Park in Binh Chanh District, Ba Bo Canal in Thu Duc District and Thay Cai Canal in Cu Chi District.