Vietnam renews effort to reduce plastic waste
(VOVWORLD) - According to a World Bank study, of the total 109 countries surveyed, Vietnam is the 17th-biggest plastic waste producer and ranks 5th in the world in terms of plastic waste released to the ocean. Vietnam is now in need of strong solutions to reduce plastic waste.
Vietnam’s strong determination to reduce plastic waste can be seen in its strong political commitments in plastic waste management. While addressing the G7 Outreach Summit in Canada last June, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc applauded Canada’s initiative on preventing ocean plastic waste, noting that Vietnam is willing to cooperate with Canada and other countries worldwide to realize this initiative. Mr. Phuc also proposed establishing an expanded co-operation mechanism between the Group of Seven (G7) and other nations for clean oceans free from plastic waste. Vietnam is preparing a plan with clear and specific goals and actions on minimizing ocean plastic waste.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has recently launched a campaign to encourage people to change their habit of using single-use plastic bags.
"The campaign calls on communities to abandon single-use plastic bags and plastic items that take very long time to decay. We call on other ministries, sectors and the whole society, especially the young people and businesses, to join hands in this effort," said Vu Minh Ly, Deputy Director of Communications Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Plastic waste pollution is an inter-regional problem. Da Nang City’s Department of Industry and Commerce has launched a campaign called “Saying no to plastic bags” that encourages supermarkets, trade centers, and market retailers to refrain from using plastic bags.
"Da Nang city has set a target of building an environment-friendly city. We aim to raise the community’s awareness on protecting the environment, encourage people to change their habits of using plastic bags and calling on the private sector to engage in collecting waste. We’re also planning to construct a waste treatment complex," said Le Quang Nam, Director of Da Nang municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will take part in an open debate on environmental issues at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland later this month. He is set to deliver a declaration on new technological solutions to more sustainable plastic waste treatment, focusing on changing people’s awareness and renovating technology for plastic waste treatment.