ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 12
www.rsisinternational.org
This study investigates the current situation and projects CH
4
emissions from municipal solid waste in Cai Rang
district, Can Tho city by 2050. Total 60 households at Tan Phu ward (urban area) and Ba Lang ward (countryside
area) - Cai Rang district were chosen for daily collected solid waste, then sorted into organic, inorganic, and
recyclable categories over a one-week period. Results show that daily household waste generation significantly
increased from Friday to Sunday, peaking on weekends. Organic waste constituted the largest fraction,
consistently higher in urban areas (0.55 - 0.65 kg/person/day) than countryside (0.45 - 0.60 kg/person/day). Both
inorganic and recyclable waste also exhibited an upward trend towards the weekend and were found in higher
volumes in urban zones. The waste generation peaks during weekends, with urban households generating more
organic and recyclable waste than countryside ones. By 2050, the study area discharge organic waste about
62.880 tons/year, and CH
4
emissions are expected rise to 973.8 tons/year, corresponding. The growth in
emissions correlates with increased waste volume, driven by urban expansion and population growth,
significantly worsen methane release. The study emphasizes the need for urgent intervention through the
implementation of advanced solid waste treatment technologies such as composting, anaerobic digestion, or
waste-to-energy incineration. These strategies are vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting
sustainable development in urbanizing areas like Cai Rang district.
landfill, methane emissions, municipal solid waste, organic waste, urbanization.
Climate change stands as one of the most pressing global challenges today, primarily driven by the increasing
emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) resulting from human activities. Among these gases, methane (CH
4
) is
particularly potent, exhibiting a global warming potential 28 to 34 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO
2
) over
a 100-year period (IPCC, 2023). Major sources of CH
4
emissions include agricultural practices, fossil fuel
extraction, and, significantly, the treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) (EPA, 2023).
In Vietnam, rapid urbanization has resulted in a substantial rise in MSW generation. Organic waste forms a major
fraction, accounting for approximately 50 - 65% of total household waste (Truong, Nguyen & Le, 2025). The
dominant waste treatment method remains landfilling, much of which lacks proper technical and environmental
control. These poorly managed landfills create anaerobic conditions that promote the decomposition of organic
waste and the consequent release of CH
4
into the atmosphere (MONRE, 2022; ESCAP, 2015).
Cai Rang district, located in Can Tho city, is a fast developing area that includes both urban and rural territory.
With the increase in population and economic activities, the volume of MSW has grown significantly. However,
waste is still primarily collected without segregation at source, and organic waste is often disposed of directly
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 13
www.rsisinternational.org
into landfills (Truong, Nguyen & Le, 2025). Despite these trends, there remains a lack of localized studies
quantifying CH
4
emissions from the organic fraction of MSW in Cai Rang. This gap limits the ability to
formulate data-driven waste management strategies and monitor progress toward greenhouse gas reduction
targets.
Figure 1. The study site in the map of Can Tho city and the Mekong delta
Conducting a CH
4
emission inventory for this locality is crucial. It not only contributes to national GHG
accounting but also supports the development of appropriate mitigation strategies, such as organic waste
composting, anaerobic digestion, or CH
4
recovery systems (ESCAP, 2015; Ngan, Vo & Tran, 2004). The findings
will also serve as a valuable reference for local policymakers and environmental managers in implementing
sustainable waste management and climate adaptation plans.
This study conducted a survey to assess the generation of MSW at two wards in Cai Rang district, Can Tho city,
in which Tan Phu ward located at urban area and Ba Lang located at countryside area. Due to the extensive area
and high population density of the study site, efficient data collection required optimization in terms of time and
cost. Therefore, the study selected 60 households in total to ensure an optimum sample size for descriptive
statistics and subsequent analysis.
Each participating household was provided with a waste bag of 55 cm × 65 cm to collect all waste generated
daily. The collection period lasted seven consecutive days, from Monday to Sunday (May 5 - 11, 2024).
Each waste bag was labeled with the household’s identification details. Each day, the waste bags were gathered
and transported to a meeting point for sorting and weighing. At the meeting point, the waste from each bag was
separated into three categories: organic waste, recyclable materials, and non - recyclable waste. Each waste
category was weighed using a 5 kg table - scale, then data were recorded to a logbook.
First, the population of Cai Rang district by 2050 was estimated using the compound growth formula, assuming
a constant annual growth rate (General Statistics Office, 2020).
P
2050
= P
2025
× (1 + r)
n
[1]
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 14
www.rsisinternational.org
in which:
P
2050
: projected population in 2050 (persons)
P
2025
: Projected population in 2025 (persons)
r: annual population growth rate (assumed at 0.015)
n: number of years from 2025 to 2050
Then, the amount of MSW generated in Cai Rang district by 2050 was estimate based on the projected
population, the per capita waste generation rate, the timeline, etc. following the equation proposed by Kaza et
al. (2018):
Q = P × R × T [2]
in which
Q: total projected solid waste quantity (kg or tons)
P: projected population (persons)
R: average daily waste generation rate per capita (kg/person/day)
T: time period in days (commonly 365 days per year)
Methane emissions from MSW were calculated using following equation (IPCC, 2006):
CH
4
= (WT × WF × DOC × DOCF × F ×
16
12
– R) × (1 – OX) [3]
in which
WT: total annual solid waste generated (tons/year)
WF: ratio of waste disposed in landfills
MCF: methane correction factor (default value of 0.6)
DOC: degradable organic carbon rate in the waste
DOCF: ratio of DOC that degraded actually (default value of 0.7)
F: ratio of methane in landfill gas (default value: 0.5)
R: amount of methane recovered (tons/year)
OX: oxidation factor (ratio of CH
4
oxidized before release)
The collected data were processed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel to assess of status of MSW generation in
the two studied wards. At each participant household, the number of current members was recorded so that the
present data is count for each person, not for household.
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 15
www.rsisinternational.org
T-test was conducted to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in waste generation, in
waste components, in weekday and weekend, etc. within and between Tan Phu ward and Ba Lang ward.
Table 1 shows the average daily household waste generation across the days of the week. From Monday to
Thursday, waste volumes remained relatively low and stable, with Tuesday recording the lowest average at 0.79
± 0.03 kg/person/day, and the Wednesday reach the highest weight at 0.84 ± 0.01 kg/person/day. However, a
marked increase in waste generation was observed from Friday onwards. On Friday, the average waste reached
0.95 ± 0.05 kg/person/day, exceeded 1.01 ± 0.06 kg/person/day on Saturday and 1.02 ± 0.05 kg/person/day on
Sunday. The weekend period showed the highest levels of household waste generation. This flow can be
attributed to lifestyle patterns such as social gatherings, family meals, increased consumption of processed foods,
and recreational activities. These behaviors indicate a statistically significant difference in waste generation
between weekdays and weekends (p<0.02).
Table 1. Daily household waste generation in countryside and urban area
Week-day
Generated waste in countryside
Generated waste in urban area
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Monday
0.83 ± 0.22
12.95
0.81 ± 0.35
12.94
Tuesday
0.75 ± 0.25
11.70
0.83 ± 0.34
13.26
Wednesday
0.84 ± 0.23
13.10
0.84 ± 0.33
13.42
Thursday
0.90 ± 0.24
14.04
0.91 ± 0.33
14.45
Friday
0.99 ± 0.25
15.44
0.91 ± 0.34
14.45
Saturday
1.05 ± 0.28
16.38
0.97 ± 0.34
15.50
Sunday
1.05 ± 0.26
16.38
0.99 ± 0.34
15.81
Figure 2. Daily household waste generation over a week
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 16
www.rsisinternational.org
Figure 2 aligns with findings from previous studies conducted in Vietnam. For example, Tran, Le and Nguyen
(2021) reported that weekend waste volumes were 12 - 18% higher than weekday averages in Can Tho city.
Pham (2019) observed a substantial increase in waste output on Saturdays and Sundays in Ho Chi Minh city,
which was linked to fresh food consumption and the use of packaged products as families spent more time at
home. Similarly, Nguyen, Hoang and Pham (2020) found a comparable trend in Ha Noi city where waste
quantities rose sharply during weekends, particularly in middle to high income residential areas.
Based on the findings, the design of waste collection strategies should consider daily variations in waste release,
particularly the significant increase recorded on weekends. In additional, communication and awareness raising
campaigns should be strengthened to promote waste classification and reduction during peak days, thereby
enhancing the overall efficiency of the MSW management system.
a) Organic Waste Component
The weekly generation of organic waste showed notable differences between countryside and urban areas, with
a slight upward trend observed from the beginning to the end of the week in both zones (Table 2). Specifically,
organic waste generation in urban households was consistently higher on most days, ranging from 0.55 to 0.65
kg/person/day, while countryside households produced slightly less, approximately 0.45 to 0.60 kg/person/day.
Although differences in organic waste volumes were recorded, no statistically significant difference was found
in household consumption behavior and waste generation within the same area (p>0.2).
Table 2. Daily household organic waste generation in countryside and urban area
Week-day
Organic waste in countryside
Organic waste in urban area
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Monday
0.57 ± 0.18
13.64
0.59 ± 0.31
14.00
Tuesday
0.55 ± 0.20
13.15
0.57 ± 0.31
13.65
Wednesday
0.55 ± 0.19
13.15
0.57 ± 0.30
13.48
Thursday
0.58 ± 0.21
14.01
0.61 ± 0.30
14.50
Friday
0.62 ± 0.22
14.67
0.59 ± 0.30
14.09
Saturday
0.65 ± 0.23
15.76
0.63 ± 0.30
14.99
Sunday
0.63 ± 0.22
15.31
0.64 ± 0.30
15.30
Figure 3. Daily organic waste generation over a week
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 17
www.rsisinternational.org
The observed urban-countryside variation can be attributed to differences in consumption patterns and daily
routines (Figure 3). In urban side, higher consumption of processed food, packaged vegetables, and other pre-
packed items tends to result in increased organic waste, primarily from household cooking and food preparation
activities. These findings are consistent with the study by Tran, Hoang and Pham (2019) in Can Tho city, which
reported that organic waste generation in urban area was 15 - 20% higher than in countryside region. Similarly,
Le and Nguyen (2020) found that organic waste accounted for a significant proportion of MSW in the central
districts of Ho Chi Minh city, especially during weekends.
Furthermore, organic waste in both countryside and urban areas showed a slight increase on Saturday and
Sunday, suggesting a link to lifestyle patterns such as home cooking, family gatherings, and higher consumption
of fresh food during weekends. These results contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between
socioeconomic characteristics and household waste behavior, underline the importance of waste classification at
source and organic waste treatment in practice, especially in urban area where organic waste volumes are
significant high.
b) Inorganic Waste Component
The daily generation of inorganic waste in both countryside and urban areas revealed a gradual upward trend
from the beginning to the end of the week (Table 3), with a statistically significant difference between the two
areas (p<0.01). Throughout a week survey, urban households consistently produced higher volumes of inorganic
waste, ranging from 0.08 to 0.18 kg/person/day, while countryside households generated slightly less, fluctuating
between 0.06 and 0.15 kg/person/day. Notably, during the weekend time, inorganic waste generation rose sharply
in both areas, peaking on Saturday and Sunday. This trend reflects increased consumption behaviors typically
associated with weekends, particularly the use of packaged goods, plastic containers, and disposable items
contributors to inorganic waste. The gap in inorganic waste volume between urban and countryside areas can be
explained by differences in living standards, consumption habits, and urbanization levels. In urban area, residents
tend to consume more packaged products and rely more heavily on plastics, non-biodegradable materials, and
disposable goods, thereby leading to higher quantities of inorganic waste. The findings are consistent with report
of Pham, Tran and Le (2020) that inorganic waste accounts for 30 - 40% of total MSW, while in countryside
areas they range from 15 to 20% in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh cities. Similarly, Nguyen (2018) emphasized that
urban commercial and consumer activities significantly contribute to the rise in inorganic waste, particularly
during weekends and holidays.
Table 3. Daily household inorganic waste generation in countryside and urban area
Week-day
Inorganic waste in countryside
Inorganic waste in urban area
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Monday
0.06 ± 0.09
7.31
0.08 ± 0.09
10.28
Tuesday
0.08 ± 0.09
7.98
0.10 ± 0.08
12.89
Wednesday
0.11 ± 0.11
13.41
0.10 ± 0.08
12.89
Thursday
0.12 ± 0.09
14.63
0.12 ± 0.11
15.22
Friday
0.14 ± 0.09
17.07
0.12 ± 0.08
15.22
Saturday
0.16 ± 0.09
19.51
0.13 ± 0.06
16.75
Sunday
0.16 ± 0.07
19.51
0.13 ± 0.06
16.75
Daily fluctuations volume (Figure 4) also show that the quantity of inorganic waste is not only dependent on
geographical areas but also closely related to local communities’ lifestyle and consumption behavior over time.
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 18
www.rsisinternational.org
This requires flexible inorganic waste management policies in both spatially and temporally, including
promoting at source separation, effective collection and increasing the recycling solutions of potential materials
such as plastics, metals, and packaging.
Figure 4. Daily inorganic waste generation per capita
c) Recyclable Waste Fraction
Table 4 indicate the quantity of recyclable waste in urban area tended to be higher than in countryside through
the 7-day monitoring period. During the first three days (Monday to Wednesday), the difference in recyclable
waste between the two areas was relatively small, fluctuating between 0.01 and 0.03 kg/person/day. However, a
statistically significant difference (p<0.02) appeared from Thursday onward with urban households generating
increasingly higher volumes, peaking on Saturday and Sunday at approximately 0.24 kg/person/day. In contrast,
countryside areas maintained a lower volume, remaining below 0.20 kg/person/day. This inequality highlights
differences in consumption habits, access to recyclable-packaged products, and the effectiveness of source
classification practices between the two areas. The findings align with the study by Nguyen, Le and Do (2020)
reported recyclable waste volumes in urban areas were 25 - 30% higher than in countryside, mainly due to higher
levels of urbanization and living standards. Similarly, Tran, Hoang and Pham (2021) observed urban households
tend to consume more packaged goods, leading to greater quantities of recyclable materials such as plastics,
paper, and metals. In addition, the upward trend in recyclable waste generation during the weekend - particularly
in urban area - may be linked to shopping behaviors and the increased consumption of processed foods on non -
working days. Pham, Nguyen and Vo (2022) reported that household waste volumes rose by an average of 12%
on weekends, with recyclable materials accounting for a significant proportion of the total waste generated.
Table 4. Daily household recyclable waste generation in countryside and urban area
Week-day
Recyclable waste in countryside
Recyclable waste in urban area
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Weight (kg/person/day)
Ratio (%)
Monday
0.21 ± 0.19
14.19
0.14 ± 0.13
10.69
Tuesday
0.16 ± 0.15
10.81
0.17 ± 0.13
12.98
Wednesday
0.19 ± 0.13
12.84
0.20 ± 0.11
12.98
Thursday
0.20 ± 0.12
13.51
0.20 ± 0.12
15.27
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 19
www.rsisinternational.org
Friday
0.22 ± 0.12
14.86
0.20 ± 0.12
15.27
Saturday
0.25 ± 0.14
16.89
0.21 ± 0.10
16.03
Sunday
0.25 ± 0.11
16.89
0.22 ± 0.10
16.79
Figure 5. Daily recycle waste generation per capita
The annual generation of organic waste in Cai Rang district was estimated using the average population growth
rate for each projected year between 2025 and 2050, and a baseline per capita organic waste generation rate. The
annual population growth rate in Cai Rang district is estimated to be 1.23% (2025 - 2030), 1.24% (2030 - 2035),
and then stabilize at around 1.238% until 2050. This increase is consistent with the general trend of Vietnamese
urban areas and is within the range of 1.0 - 1.5%/year (General Statistics Office, 2022). The selected population
growth rates is within the overall socio-economic development orientation of Can Tho city until 2050 (Prime
Minister, 2023) and is consistent with a satellite district in the process of shaping and developing urban services.
The current organic waste generation rate in study area is 0.60 kg/day. To reflect lifestyle changes and increasing
consumption, the organic waste generation rate was assumed to increase by 0.10 kg/person/day every five years.
Applying this method, the quantity of organic waste generated is projected to rise sharply - from approximately
25.37 tons/year in 2025 to nearly 62.88 tons/year in 2050 (Table 5).
Table 5. Forecasting the rate of household organic waste generation in Cai Rang district by 2050
Year
Population
(person)
Waste generation rate
(kg/person/day)
Generated waste weight
(ton/day)
(ton/year)
2025
115,885
0.62
25,37
24,487.85
2030
123,061
0.62
31,44
25,155.80
2035
130,686
0.62
38,16
25,531.75
2040
138,778
0.62
45,58
25,947.85
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 20
www.rsisinternational.org
2045
147,366
0.62
53,78
26,305.55
2050
156,480
0.62
62,82
26,699.75
The growth trend in the Figure 6 is driven by both demographic expansion and a gradual increase in individual
waste generation behavior which align with global trends. According to Kaza et al. (2018), waste generation is
expected to grow significantly in developing countries due to increasing population density, changes in
consumption habits, and economic development. Similarly, Hoornweg et al. (2012) reported that organic waste
comprises the largest fraction of MSW in low- and middle-income countries up to 56% which is comparable to
the situation in Cai Rang district. These evaluations suggest that the district may face similar challenges in waste
management if proactive strategies are not implemented. Given the projected increase, local authorities should
consider adopting sustainable management approaches such as source separation of organics, community-based
composting systems, and awareness programs to reduce food waste. These measures not only minimize the
volume of waste sent to landfills but also contribute to reducing CH
4
emissions, a potent GHG resulting from
the decomposition of organic matter in anaerobic conditions. Therefore, improving organic waste management
in Cai Rang district is not only an environmental necessity but also a critical component of climate change
mitigation.
Figure 6. Projected organic waste generation in Cai Rang district households to 2050
As the population grows alongside urbanization and the expansion of commercial and service activities, organic
waste generation is expected to increase proportionally. According to Pham, Le and Tran (2021), organic waste
accounts for over 70% of total MSW, mostly consisting of food scraps, vegetables, and other biodegradable
materials in rapidly expanding urban areas of Can Tho city. Consequently, the active management of organic
waste has become a pressing issue, especially in the context of climate change and the need to reduce GHGs
emissions from landfills. Nguyen (2020) reported the average household organic waste issue in Can Tho urban
areas ranges from 0.55 to 0.62 kg/person/day, depending on living conditions and consumption levels. However,
in the absence of proper source classification strategies and inappropriate organic waste treatment technologies,
the sharp rise in organic waste may overwhelm the MSW management system. In this context, models of
promoting waste classification at source, of environmentally friendly treatment technologies, of community
education, of integrated waste management, etc. are considered optimal solutions that support sustainable urban
development. Moreover, accurate forecasting of future MSW generation is essential for infrastructure investment
planning and improve solid waste treatment systems in alignment with each phase of urban development.
However, as Vietnam moves towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2045 and continues to
modernize its urban system, consumer behavior will gradually change to produce less organic waste. The trend
of using processed foods, fast foods, canned foods, as well as the popularity of supermarket chains replacing
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 21
www.rsisinternational.org
traditional markets will reduce the amount of vegetables prepared at home - the main source of organic waste.
In addition, with the development of public awareness programs, the “Zero Waste” movement, and policies to
reduce food waste, many households will proactively limit food waste disposal and learn how to compost at
home. This can significantly change the rate of organic waste in the future.
Besides to behavioral factors, policies and technology also play an important role in reducing the amount of
organic waste generated or removing organic waste from the landfill chain. Specifically, Decision 491/QD-TTg
has set out the National Strategy on Solid Waste Management to 2025, with a vision to 2050, which requires
100% of urban solid waste to be classified at source, treated with appropriate technology, and encourages the
use of compost or energy recovery from organic waste (Prime Minister, 2018). This means that if policies are
effectively implemented, while the total amount of household waste may continue to increase with population
and economic development, the amount of untreated organic waste sent to landfills may gradually decrease,
thanks to treatment at the source or reuse. International trends also support this argument. According to Wilson
et al. (2015), as waste sorting systems and treatment technologies advance in developed countries, the proportion
of organic waste in total household waste often falls below 40%, giving way to plastic waste, electronic waste
and industrial waste. If Vietnam continues to modernize and improve its waste management system, it is likely
that the organic waste component of the household waste structure will gradually decrease after 2040. Therefore,
the assumption that the amount of organic waste will continue to increase strongly until 2050 needs to be re-
evaluated, and forecasting models should incorporate factors such as changing consumer behavior, policy
impacts, and the effectiveness of new waste management programs. Updating forecasting models based on
different development scenarios will help local authorities make appropriate plans for infrastructure investment
and waste treatment, optimize resources, and improve the effectiveness of urban environmental management in
the future.
CH
4
emissions from biodegradable organic waste in Cai Rang district are forecast to increase steadily during the
period 2025 - 2050, from approximately 720.30 tons/year to 973.80 tons/year (Table 6, Figure 7). This increase
is mainly due to population growth, resulting in a larger volume of domestic solid waste, while the organic
component remains high (~60%). This trend reflects the close relationship between urban population growth,
waste load, and greenhouse gas emissions, similar to the results recorded in the study by Nguyen et al. (2020).
According to their study, the total CH
4
emissions of the entire inner-city area (including Ninh Kieu, Binh Thuy,
Cai Rang and part of O Mon) are estimated at about 3,900 tons/year, of which Cai Rang is one of the districts
with high emission rates due to rapid urbanization and high organic waste ratio. This shows that emissions in
Cai Rang contribute significantly to the total greenhouse gas emissions of the city and need to be closely
monitored.
Table 6. CH4 emission from organic waste in Cai Rang district
Year
Population (person)
Generated organic waste (ton/year)
CH
4
emission (ton/year)
2025
115,885
24.11
720.30
2030
123,061
25.60
764.90
2035
130,686
27.19
812.50
2040
138,778
28.86
862.90
2045
147,366
30.66
916.80
2050
156,480
32.56
973.80
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 22
www.rsisinternational.org
Figure 7. Estimated CH
4
emissions to 2050
Compared to other countries in the Southeast Asian region, the level of CH
4
emissions from organic waste in
Can Tho in particular and Vietnam in general is still lower than that of large cities such as Jakarta (Indonesia),
Manila (Philippines) or Bangkok (Thailand), where the amount of waste generated daily is up to tens of
thousands of tons. However, the trend and nature of the problem are similar: high organic waste rate, outdated
treatment infrastructure, and lack of gas recovery systems at landfills. According to the Climate and Clean Air
Coalition (2022), Southeast Asia is one of the regions with the fastest growing CH
4
emissions from solid waste
in the world, and if treatment technology is not improved, greenhouse gas emissions from waste will continue
to increase sharply in the coming decades.
In Can Tho city, the majority of MSW is currently managed through sanitary landfilling. However, the existing
landfill facilities lack CH
4
gas capture and treatment systems, resulting in the uncontrolled release of GHGs into
the atmosphere. This situation underscores the urgent need to enhance organic waste management technologies,
such as community-based composting, anaerobic digestion, and the installation of CH
4
capture systems at
landfill sites. Implementing these solutions is crucial not only for mitigating CH
4
emissions but also for
promoting a more climate-resilient and sustainable waste management system.
These findings are consistent with the conclusions of IPCC (2006), which identified landfilling as the primary
source of CH
4
emissions within the solid waste management sector, particularly in developing nations where
gases monitoring systems remain inadequate. Study by Nguyen, Tran and Le (2018) on CH
4
release from Go
Cat landfill in Ho Chi Minh city reported up to 50% of landfill gas may consist of CH
4
, highlighting the crucial
importance of effective GHG recovery strategies. Similarly, Pham (2020) emphasized the need for urban areas
in the Mekong delta to gradually transition away from traditional land disposal toward modern treatment
alternatives such as composting or waste-to-energy incineration. These advanced methods are essential for
limitation CH
4
discharges into the environment and fostering sustainable waste practices.
This study focused on assessing the MSW status and CH
4
emissions from organic waste in Cai Rang district,
Can Tho city. Onsite surveys conducted in Tan Phu and Ba Lang wards revealed daily fluctuations in household
waste generation, with a noticeable increase toward the weekend. Organic materials constitute most waste, and
urban area tend to generate more waste than countryside region. The volumes of inorganic and recyclable waste
also increase from early to late in the week and are higher in urban zone, reflecting patterns of consumer behavior
in cities.
The volume of organic waste is projected to increase steadily-from approximately 25.37 tons/year in 2025 to
62.88 tons/year by 2050. The estimated future CH
4
emissions from organic waste steadily growth from about
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 23
www.rsisinternational.org
720.30 tons/year in 2025 to 973.80 tons/year by 2050. This rise is mainly attributed to population growth and
the corresponding increase in waste volume, while landfilling - the dominant treatment approach - contributes
significantly to CH
4
releases. The accelerating pace of urbanization and demographic expansion in Cai Rang
district is placing growing pressure on the existing waste management system. Strategic interventions, including
the adoption of advanced waste treatment technologies, are urgently needed to control GHG emissions and
support sustainable urban development.
1. EPA (2023). Overview of greenhouse gases: Methane emissions. United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
2. ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (2015). Valuing waste, transforming
cities: UNEP - ESCAP guidelines for integrated solid waste management. United Nations.
3. General Statistics Office (2022). Results of the Population Change and Family Planning Survey as of
April 1, 2021. Statistical Publishing House.
4. General Statistics Office (2020). The population projections for Vietnam 2019 - 2069. Statistical
Publishing House.
5. Hoornweg, D., & Bhada-Tata, P. (2012). What a waste: A global review of solid waste management.
World Bank.
6. IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories: Volume 5 - Waste.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
7. IPCC (2023). Climate change 2023: Synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the
Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
8. Kaza, S., Yao, L. C., Bhada-Tata, P., & Van Woerden, F. (2018). What a waste 2.0: A global snapshot
of solid waste management to 2050. Urban Development. World Bank.
9. Le, T. T., & Nguyen, T. M. (2020). Household solid waste composition and management practices in
central districts of Ho Chi Minh City. Environment and Development Journal, 38(4), 42-49 (in
Vietnamese).
10. MONRE (2022). National report on the state of the environment 2022. Ministry of Natural Resources
and Environment (in Vietnamese).
11. Ngan, T. M. C., Vo, V. N., & Tran, T. B. N. (2004). Research on methane recovery from landfills in
southern Vietnam. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Management, 18(2), 65-71 (in
Vietnamese).
12. Nguyen, T. B. (2018). Urban waste characteristics and management strategies in major Vietnamese
cities. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(2), 112-120 (in Vietnamese).
13. Nguyen, T. B. T. (2020). Evaluation of household organic waste generation and challenges in Can Tho
urban areas. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 26(4), 51-59 (in Vietnamese).
14. Nguyen, T. K. T., Tran, V. P., & Le, T. H. (2018). Assessment of methane emissions from Go Cat landfill
and implications for gas recovery technologies. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology,
24(3), 42-49 (in Vietnamese).
15. Nguyen, V. B., Hoang, T. M., & Pham, M. H. (2020). Assessment of temporal variation in domestic
waste generation: A case study in Hanoi. Vietnam Journal of Science, Technology and Engineering,
62(12), 55-61 (in Vietnamese).
16. Nguyen, V. C. N., Le, H. V., & Vu, T. T. (2020). Estimation on CH
4
emission from domestic solid waste
at inner area in Cantho city. Journal of Science of Can Tho University, 16(3), 43-51 (in Vietnamese).
17. Pham, Q. C., Le, T. P. D., & Tran, V. H. (2021). Analysis of organic waste characteristics and
management solutions in Can Tho city. Vietnam Journal of Environmental Management, 39(3), 61-68
(in Vietnamese).
18. Pham, T. N. D. (2019). Household waste generation and influencing factors in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho
Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (in Vietnamese).
19. Pham, V. H., Tran, T. K. N., & Le, Q. M. (2020). Comparative analysis of inorganic waste composition
in urban and rural regions of Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Environmental Science, 42(1), 33-40 (in
Vietnamese).
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 24
www.rsisinternational.org
20. Pham, V. T. (2020). Transitioning from landfilling to sustainable waste treatment in the Mekong Delta:
Challenges and opportunities. Vietnam Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy, 31(2), 55-62 (in
Vietnamese).
21. Prime Minister (2023). Decision No. 1519/QD-TTg dated December 02, 2023 on Approving the Can
Tho city Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 (in Vietnamese).
22. Prime Minister (2018). Decision No. 491/QD-TTg dated May 07, 2018 on the National Strategy for Solid
Waste Management to 2025, with a Vision to 2050 (in Vietnamese).
23. Tran, T. T. H., Le, T. T. T., & Nguyen, Q. V. (2021). Daily fluctuation of household waste generation in
urban areas: A case study in Can Tho City. Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 25(3),
47-54 (in Vietnamese).
24. Tran, V. T., Hoang, T. H., & Pham, V. T. (2019). Assessment of organic waste generation in urban and
rural areas of Can Tho City. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21(3), 27-33 (in
Vietnamese).
25. Truong, T. M. A., Nguyen, V. H., & Le, Q. T. (2025). Analysis of household organic waste composition
in Can Tho City. Vietnam Journal of Urban Environment, 30(1), 41-49 (in Vietnamese).
26. Wilson, D. C., Velis, C. A., & Cheeseman, C. R. (2015). Role of informal sector recycling in waste
management in developing countries. Habitat International, 30(4), 797-808.
27. World Bank (2014). Vietnam’s urbanization at a crossroads - Overview. World Bank Group.
