Greta Jimenez
Vietnam is facing a plastic pollution crisis, with the country being one of the top plastic polluters in the world. The country's rapid economic growth, urbanization, and changing lifestyles have led to a surge in plastic consumption, with an annual production increase from 3.8 kilograms per person in 1990 to approximately 41 kilograms in 2018. This, coupled with poor waste management systems, has resulted in plastic polluting Vietnam's waterways, coastal areas, and the ocean. To combat this issue, the Vietnamese government, in collaboration with organizations like the UNDP and NPAP, has developed plans and initiatives to reduce plastic waste, improve waste management, and promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
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What You'll Learn
The government's National Action Plan for 2030
The Vietnamese government has developed a National Action Plan to tackle marine plastic debris by 2030. The plan aims to reduce plastic waste, improve waste management, and address the country's contribution to plastic pollution, which is among the highest in the world.
The National Action Plan for 2030 sets ambitious targets, aiming to cut marine plastic litter by 50% by 2025 and achieve a significant 75% reduction by 2030. To achieve these goals, the plan outlines several measures and strategies:
- Ban on Plastic Bags and Single-Use Plastics: The government plans to prohibit the production and importation of plastic bags for domestic use by 2026. This ban will extend to most single-use plastic products by 2031, including items like expanded polystyrene food containers and plastic straws.
- Restrictions and Fees: The plan proposes restricting the distribution of single-use plastics in food establishments and hotels. Fees will be imposed on non-biodegradable plastic bags and disposable coffee cups to discourage their use.
- Promotion of Alternatives: Vietnam intends to encourage the use of viable alternatives to single-use plastics. This includes promoting reusable bags, containers, and environmentally friendly substitutes to reduce the demand for plastic products.
- Improved Waste Management: The government recognizes the need for a better solid waste management system. This includes enhancing waste collection processes, recycling initiatives, and proper disposal methods to prevent plastic waste from ending up in the environment.
- Behavior Change and Education: The plan emphasizes the importance of changing consumer behavior and educating the public about plastic pollution. Initiatives will focus on raising awareness, encouraging recycling, and promoting sustainable alternatives at the community level.
- Collaboration and Support: Vietnam seeks collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and international organizations to implement effective solutions. This includes knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and financial support to tackle plastic pollution comprehensively.
The National Action Plan for 2030 is a comprehensive strategy that addresses plastic pollution through policy changes, behavioral adjustments, and improved waste management systems. By implementing these measures, Vietnam aims to significantly reduce its plastic waste and mitigate its environmental impact, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for the country.
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UNDP's financial and technical assistance
Vietnam is one of the top ten countries in the world for plastic pollution, with over 8,000 tons of plastic waste generated per day. To address this issue, the Vietnamese government developed a national action plan on marine plastic debris to 2030. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting Vietnam in its journey to reduce plastic pollution through its Global Plastic Offer.
Since 2019, UNDP has provided financial and technical assistance to civil society organizations in five provinces: Da Nang city, Binh Thuan and Binh Duong provinces, Quy Nhon City, and Quang Ninh province. This initiative was made possible through a partnership with the Government of Norway, utilising the Small Grants Programme (SGP) as a delivery mechanism. Five community projects were implemented with a total grant amount of USD 289,301, which generated USD548,781 in co-financing.
The projects focused on behaviour change aimed at plastic use reduction, waste reduction, and improved waste management through enhanced policy frameworks. One key aspect was empowering women waste collectors through training in waste management, financial support, and the provision of waste collection tools and equipment. This initiative raised awareness among women, enhanced their participation in waste management, and resulted in the formation of women waste collector clubs that guide the community on waste segregation in residential areas.
Through these collective efforts, Vietnam has made strides in tackling plastic pollution while creating sustainable livelihoods and improved living conditions for informal waste workers, who are among the poorest in society. UNDP remains committed to sustaining, replicating, and upscaling such initiatives through the Global Plastic Offer. They also support the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) in Vietnam, bringing together various stakeholders to address plastic waste and pollution.
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Eco-bricks
The eco-brick initiative was pioneered by Tan Meftah, the founder of Wholistik Permaculture, a sustainability-focused organisation. Meftah collaborated with Jimmy Thai of Build a School Foundation, an NGO based in the United States. Together, they implemented the eco-brick school project, which collected over one tonne of plastic waste from across Vietnam. This waste was used to build a vocational training school in Tra Vinh province, with the bottles stacked, caged in chicken wire, and covered with cement to create the walls.
The eco-brick school project has multiple benefits. Firstly, it raises awareness about plastic pollution and promotes recycling. Secondly, it reduces waste disposal costs and emissions associated with traditional brick transportation. Lastly, it provides a free building material for structures in Vietnam, where plastic waste is widespread.
However, there are challenges to the eco-brick initiative. The process of making eco-bricks is time-consuming and labour-intensive, and the resulting bricks are less cost-effective than regular bricks. Additionally, the amount of plastic collected and recycled through this initiative is relatively small compared to the vast amounts of plastic waste generated in Vietnam.
Despite these challenges, eco-bricks represent a step towards reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices in Vietnam. They empower individuals and communities to take action against plastic waste and contribute to the creation of environmentally-friendly structures.
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Grassroots efforts and social franchises
In addition to these social franchises, grassroots efforts are also making an impact. Informal waste workers, known as "ve chai," collect and sell recyclable plastic materials like clear plastic bottles and hard plastics. While the informal sector has traditionally managed recycling in Vietnam, revisions to the country's Law on Environmental Protection have shifted this responsibility to municipalities. However, the formal sector currently lacks the infrastructure and capacity to effectively manage waste.
To address this challenge, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided financial and technical assistance to civil society organizations in five provinces. These community projects, supported by local Women Unions and Farmers' Associations, focus on behaviour change to reduce plastic use, waste generation, and improve waste management policies. Through this programme, 159 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected and prevented from becoming pollution.
Overall, these grassroots efforts and social franchises are playing a crucial role in Vietnam's journey to reduce plastic pollution. They are raising awareness, promoting sustainable alternatives, and empowering local communities to take action against plastic waste. However, a more comprehensive and systemic approach is needed to address the country's plastic pollution crisis effectively.
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The new Environmental Protection Law
Vietnam is one of the top ten countries in the world for plastic pollution, with plastic constituting 80% of marine waste in the country. In response to this crisis, the Vietnamese government has implemented a new Environmental Protection Law, which aims to tackle plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for the country.
The law, which came into effect in January, places responsibility for waste management and recycling on municipalities, marking a shift from the previous reliance on the informal sector. This includes the collection and recycling of plastic waste, which has been a significant challenge for Vietnam. The new law also addresses the country's plastic pollution crisis, driven by rapid economic growth, urbanization, and changing lifestyles.
To support the transition to improved waste management, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided financial and technical assistance to civil society organizations in five provinces since 2019. These projects have focused on behavior change aimed at plastic use reduction, waste reduction, and improving waste management policies. Additionally, grassroots efforts and social franchises are working to combat plastic pollution, and eco-brick initiatives are being explored as a way to raise awareness and reduce emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Vietnam is one of the top five plastic polluters in the world, with 8,000 tons of plastic waste being generated daily. Plastic waste accounts for 94% of the waste found in river and coastal sites, with single-use plastic items being a large contributor.
The Vietnamese government has developed a National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris to 2030, aiming to cut marine plastic litter by 50% by 2025 and 75% by 2030. They plan to ban the production and importation of plastic bags for domestic use by 2026 and most single-use plastic products by 2031.
Grassroots efforts include the eco-brick initiative, which collects plastic waste to create bricks, and social franchises like ReForm Plastic, which transforms low-value plastics into usable objects. Informal waste workers, known as "ve chai", also collect and sell recyclable plastic materials.
The UNDP has provided financial and technical assistance to civil society organizations in five provinces, focusing on behavior change, plastic use reduction, waste generation reduction, and improving waste management policies. The World Bank has also proposed a policy roadmap to reduce single-use plastic usage and promote viable alternatives.
Vietnam faces challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and management capacity for waste sorting and recycling. There is also a need for a phased approach to offset the losses of producers and incentivize consumers and industries to transition away from single-use plastics.
