Vietnam acts to reduce plastic pollution

THE HANOI TIMES — As plastic pollution has become one of the most serious environmental threats, Vietnam has strengthened efforts to curb its impact.

Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, made this statement at a meeting held in Ha Long City this week to celebrate World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, and launch the Month of Action for the Environment.

Thanh said that Vietnam has implemented various policies to combat plastic pollution, including the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This law mandates that producers and importers are responsible for collecting, recycling, and processing their products and packaging once consumers discard them, including plastic packaging.

Furthermore, Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP, which provides detailed provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection, stipulates that Vietnam will cease the production and import of non-biodegradable plastic bags smaller than 50cm x 50cm from early 2026.

The Vietnamese Government has also issued a national strategy for integrated solid waste management that aims to eliminate non-biodegradable plastic bags from modern retail systems. In particular, the production and import of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging will also be banned by December 31, 2030.

The deputy minister said that to effectively enforce laws reducing plastic waste, authorities must quickly propose regulations for managing plastic waste. This includes creating a roadmap to limit the production and import of single-use plastics, non-biodegradable packaging, and products containing microplastics.

"Producers and importers should be held accountable for recycling their plastic products and packaging, with eco-labels introduced for environmentally friendly products. There should be a strong focus on advancing recycling technologies and developing alternatives to non-biodegradable plastics," said the official.

This year's Month of Action for the Environment, initiated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), carries the global theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” 

According to Thanh, only 27% of an estimated 1.8 million tons of plastic waste generated each year in Vietnam is recycled, while most of the rest is buried or incinerated, which poses significant environmental risks.

He urged locals to combat plastic waste, arguing that no country can stand aside in the fight against plastic pollution. "This is a shared global responsibility.”

The deputy minister stressed that Vietnam is one of the first three countries to operate a working group to implement the National Plastic Action Partnership. "Moreover, the country adopted a National Action Plan aimed at reducing plastic waste in the sea and ocean by 75% by 2030."

Thanh acknowledged that, despite positive progress, Vietnam still faces many challenges in managing plastic waste. He expressed hope that the Month of Action for the Environment would continue spreading the spirit of "Green Living - Green Action" and encourage active participation from all sectors of society in environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Month of Action for the Environment reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fighting plastic pollution and sent a powerful message about taking responsibility, innovating, and collaborating within the community to pursue a sustainable future.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is calling on all sectors of society: governments, businesses, and citizens, to join the shift toward a greener lifestyle and a circular economy model.

Inger Andersen, UNEP's Executive Director, warned about the alarming spread of plastic pollution, which threatens human health and ecosystems.

UNEP reports that, without urgent and effective intervention, the amount of plastic leaking into the environment could increase by 50% by 2040.

At the launching ceremony, local fishermen were provided with life jackets made from recycled materials. Tour boats operating in Ha Long Bay received glassware sets as an alternative to single-use plastic. The Ha Long Bay Management Board was presented with non-woven fabric bags to promote green tourism and encourage the reduction of plastic waste.

The city is accelerating its green growth strategy, aiming to recycle or reuse at least 30% of household waste by 2030. Local environmental campaigns like "Green Saturdays," "Plastic Waste Collection Along the Coastline," "Plastic-Free Ha Long Bay," and "Plastic-Free Co To Island" are making the province's tourism landscape better.

Recommendations to help Vietnam beat plastic pollution

Dr. Luu Duc Hai, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Environmental Economics, said that plastic waste is altering the living environment and natural processes, reducing the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to climate change, and negatively impacting social welfare.

Vietnam News Agency (VNA) quoted Hai as saying that it is very important to give appropriate recommendations to reduce plastic waste by applying the circular economy model in Vietnam. "For that reason, the government should replace plastic products with environmentally friendly ones, as well as develop technologies that can collect and recycle plastic waste." 

He noted that Vietnam also needs to strengthen management of the collection, classification, and reuse of plastic waste in accordance with the circular economy model. "This could include a tax on plastic products and penalties for administrative violations regarding waste disposal. It is also important to improve education and communication to raise public awareness of plastic pollution."

Duong Thi Phuong Anh from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment said many units in Vietnam have researched and commercialized biodegradable plastics, which boast high applicability and economic efficiency.

However, the country lacks guidelines for selecting recycling technology and solid waste treatment, as well as standards and regulations for recycled products.

"The country needs to issue regulations that define the responsibilities of manufacturers, producers, and importers for recycling and handling plastic waste, and those for recycled products," Phuong Anh told the VNA.

Environmental experts urged the Vietnamese Government to introduce policies that support environmentally conscious businesses and recycling efforts. 

They also pointed out that local authorities need to implement and expand models for waste collection, sorting, and processing at source, ensuring that systems are in place for efficient waste management, promoting environmental protection, and sustainability.