Vietnam considers marine waste a matter of global urgency that poses major threats to the marine environment, according to Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
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Hang informed the Vietnamese government is targeting to end the use of single-use plastics by 2025 as part of international efforts to tackle this global headache.
ASEAN leaders at the 34th summit released the Bangkok declaration on combating marine waste in the region, aiming to promote cooperation for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of coastal and marine environment, respond and deal with the risk of pollution and threats to marine ecosystem and coastal environment, in particular in respect of ecologically sensitive areas.
In this regard, ASEAN countries agreed to promote innovative solutions to enhance plastics value chains and improve resource efficiency by prioritizing approaches such as circular economy and 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle), and welcome capacity building and exchange of best practices among ASEAN Member States as well as support from external partners.
Higher standards for waste imports
In response to question regarding Vietnam’s approach to dealing with imported plastic waste, Hang said such waste is required to meet regulations in Vietnam’s environmental protection law, and be included in the list of waste permitted to import for domestic production.
Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued new regulations that set up higher standards for waste imports.
Organizations and individuals deliberately breaching Vietnamese regulations to import toxic and hazardous waste into Vietnam would be subject to strict punishment, and the waste will be sent back or destroyed, Hang stressed.
