Inception Workshop: Improving Source Segregation to Cease Open Waste Burning in Vientiane, Lao PD

The Inception Workshop on ‘Improving source segregation to cease open waste burning in Vientiane, Lao PDR’ was held on the 24th March 2025 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in collaboration with the National University of Laos and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). The workshop aimed to introduce source segregation as a strategy to reduce open waste burning among stakeholders. The inception workshop brought together government agencies, academics, international development organisations and private companies to discuss and identify target villages. The participants include Modelling Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Vientiane Capital Administration Office, Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment Vientiane Capital, Chanthabouly Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Xaysetha Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Xaythany Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Vientiane City Office Management and Services, Chanthabouly City Office Management and Services, Xaysetha City Office Management and Services, Xaythany City Office Management and Services, Small B Company, and Waste pickers.

Background

Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR, is implementing a 10-year strategy to improve waste management, aiming to create a cleaner and greener environment through enhanced waste collection, recycling, and waste reduction. However, challenges such as low household waste fee collection rates and difficult working conditions for waste collectors persist. To address these issues, the ‘Improving source segregation to cease open waste burning in Vientiane, Lao PDR’ project focuses on building the technical capacity of stakeholders, raising public awareness, and attracting investment. A key component of the project is the active engagement of women at the household level and the involvement of young people in schools and communities to promote sustainable waste management practices. Tackling open waste burning requires both structural and behavioural changes, including improving waste collection services and increasing public awareness of its harmful effects. The project emphasises effective communication strategies to encourage reusing, source segregation and composting as viable alternatives. The inception workshop provides a platform for key stakeholders, including government agencies, international organisations, academia and private company representatives, to discuss the project’s objectives, strategies, and implementation plans. The initiative is implemented by the IGES center collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET), UNEP CCAC and the Gender Studies Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos in collaboration with the National Economic Research Institute (NERI), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR with a strong focus on community participation and policy development to create a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment in Vientiane.

Intent

This workshop aimed to:

• Introduce the ‘Improving source segregation to cease open waste burning in Vientiane, Lao PDR’ project – Provide an overview of the project's objectives, planned activities, and expected outcomes, ensuring a shared understanding among stakeholders.
• Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration – Engage government agencies, international partners, and private sector actors to discuss roles, responsibilities, and potential partnerships for effective project implementation.
• Select the Target Villages and Groups – Identify target villages and target groups by mapping the areas with high and low access to waste truck pick-ups and open burning remains practice in three districts, and the size of villages.

Summary

Session 01: Opening Session

The workshop began with a congratulatory speech by Associate Prof. Dr. Ounla Sivanpheng, Vice-President of the National University of Laos (NUOL), who welcomed participants and congratulated the Gender Studies Centre for the initial success of launching the project, as well as emphasised the significance of the project and particularly this event. This was followed by an online opening remark from Mr. Lakshitha Paranagamage, which highlighted the background of the IGES-CCET and the support of the Waste Management City Pilot Activities in Vientiane, then a video message from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somkhit Boulidam, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, expressed her deep support for the project as it is highly important to the advancement of waste management in Vientiane. Session 01: Project background.

The session was introduced by Dr. Champathong Phochanthilath, project leader and Director of the Gender Studies Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos. She presented an overview of the project's objectives, planned activities, and expected outcomes, ensuring a shared understanding among stakeholders. This initiative sought to address these concerns by integrating women at the household level and involving young people in schools and communities. The project also targets the reduction of open waste burning through source segregation, improved waste collection services and increased awareness of its harmful effects. The project includes several key activities aimed at improving waste management practices in Vientiane Capital, such as a baseline study, capacity-building training and a source-segregated waste collection strategy.

Session 02: Working groups to identify the village target.

This session, facilitated by the Gender Studies Centre team, participants were separated into three small groups according to the three selected districts, Chanthabouly, Xaysettha and Xaythany districts. The objective of this group activity is to select villages in each district to carry out project activities based on the criteria given. Villages were categorised by groups based on access to waste collection services, severity of open burning and population of the villages. The selection of villages was as follows;

• Group 1. In Chanthabouly District, the participants selected Hongkaikeo and Bonangua villages to be target villages
• Group 2. In Xaysetha District, the team selected Chommany and Doung villages according to the selection criteria
• Group 3. In Xaythany District, the team selected Done Noune and Nakhae villages as the target villages

After the group discussion, each group presented their findings.

The participants also highlighted several challenges in data collection. These included the unavailability of villagers during working hours, as many were away for employment; poor coordination between village authorities and residents, particularly in communities with a high rate of temporary migration; and a general lack of interest from villagers in participating in activities. This disinterest was often attributed to previous projects that had been implemented but were not sustained over time.

Workshop Closing

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Champathong Phochanthilath, project leader and Director of the Gender Studies Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos.