VWS donates garbage trucks

The ceremony to handover the new garbage trucks to local authorities

Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, and Kien Giang are the beneficiaries of six of the specialised vehicles, which all meet US standards.

Speaking at a ceremony where the trucks were presented to the localities, David Duong, president and CEO of VWS, said that the company receives over 650 trucks carrying garbage every day, which has caused unpleasant odour and leachate in neighbouring areas. Therefore, VWS has teamed up with Peterbilt and McNeilus to conduct research and design a new garbage truck that is environmentally friendly and safe to use in Vietnam.

Peterbilt Motors is an American manufacturer of high-performance trucks for a wide variety of applications. Craig Archer, president of Coast Counties Peterbilt, shared that the company had sent a delegation of American experts to conduct a feasibility study in Vietnam after receiving a proposal from David Duong. Based on the results, the company has joined forces with several suppliers to develop the specialised trucks tailored for Vietnam.

Charles Cook, Peterbilt Motors’ vocational market segment manager (can we double-check his title?), shared that the vehicles were assembled based on the 2017 Peterbilt 502 model. The trucks’ cabin frame was coated with galvanised steel frame with aluminium sheeting to maximise durability. The truck doors were also designed to optimise durability and avoid corrosion.

The interior features were also designed to bring the most comfort to drivers, and sport modern equipment for a safe and efficient ride as well as good vision. The manufacturer also used high-quality materials to create a comfortable and hassle-free driving experience. Furthermore, the wheels of the trucks can rotate freely with standard power steering and anti-lock braking systems, which enables drivers to navigate highly congested areas.

According to David Duong, the city’s waste is 75 per cent organic garbage that decomposes quickly and discharges odour and leachate. Therefore, the vehicle frame of the trucks were coated with anti-corrosion metal, and there are two containers for leachate on both sides to avoid leaking on the streets.

Moreover, the garbage trucks boast 360-degree cameras to help drivers monitor their surroundings and avoid obstacles. The trunk was also enlarged to carry up to 10 tonnes of garbage.

“The trucks are equipped with an automatic wheel wash system for pleasant scent when the driver puts on the brake. The main benefit of the new model is that it uses clean, compressed natural gas to reduce toxic pollutants,” he added.

According to Duong, garbage trucks manufactured in the US are priced upwards from $380,000. However, the new model costs around $500,000 as it was designed for the conditions in Vietnam.

“VWS will grant two garbage trucks to Ho Chi Minh City and two for Long An, where VWS is developing a $450 million waste treatment park. The company also presents two trucks for Phu Quoc Island to contribute to environmental conservation in one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions,” he said.

Nguyen Van Duoc, Deputy Chairman of the Long An People’s Committee, lauded VWS’ efforts of environmental protection. He emphasised Long An’s policy of combining economic growth with environmental protection. “On behalf of the local authorities, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to investors like VWS. We will use the trucks for the right purpose to create a clean and healthy environment,” he said.

The tie-up between VWS, Peterbilt, and McNeilus underscores the efforts of US investors to help Vietnam and its citizens.

Cook shared that Peterbilt has over 80 years of experience in manufacturing high-performance trucks and is one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. Peterbilt boasts a network of 2,100 service points in 100 countries and territories. “Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian country that Peterbilt officially entered. We are still looking for new partnerships in the country,” he stressed.

According to Mary Tarnowka, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, VWS not only provides important services to the city, but also imports tens of millions dollars of equipment and technology from the US for wastewater treatment, recycling, and waste-to-energy conversion in Vietnam. “We believe that American private companies would be reliable partners for Vietnam to bolster economic prosperity and sustainable environment,” she noted.