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Vietnam actively takes actions to reduce plastic watse
Vietnam actively takes actions to reduce plastic watse
7/7/19
Vietnam should strive
for zero disposable plastic use in urban stores, markets and supermarkets by
2021, the PM says.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said
that plastic waste is a global problem. "Every year, the amount of plastic
waste emitted by humans is enough to cover four times the surface area of the
earth, including 13 million tons of plastic waste floating on the oceans."
Plastic waste is negatively affecting
the ecosystems, habitats, human health and sustainable development of each
country by the hour, he said.
Vietnam
should limit and move towards ending import and production of plastic bags
which are difficult to decompose. At the same time, research agencies and
scientists should study new technologies and develop a circulating economy, he
said.
Chairman
of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung said at the event
that the city is implementing five projects to limit plastic waste.
Additionally, by the end of 2020, all industrial production units and trade
centers will sign a commitment to say no to plastic-based waste.
Vietnam
generates around 2,500 tons of plastic waste daily, according to official figures.
It is fourth in the list of nations dumping plastic waste in the ocean,
according to the United Nations Environment Program.
The country has recently taken several measures
to tackle its plastic problem. Last month, Thua
Thien-Hue Province's government requested its workers not to use
plastic water bottles or plastic bags at the workplace.
Supermarket
chain Saigon Co.op has stopped selling plastic straws since last month. Some
supermarket chains have begun to use banana leaves to pack vegetables instead
of plastic.
In April, the HCMC Open University announced a ban on
plastic straws and bottled water on its campus from May
onwards. Teachers and students have to bring their own bottles or use
recyclable bottles the university provides./.
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All comments [ 20 ]
Việt Nam has taken efforts to manage imported plastic scrap and monitor plastic production and consumption.
Việt Nam proposed Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia and launched initiatives to foster global co-operation in plastic waste reduction.
The first priority was to review legal documents related to plastic waste’s risk management to complete legal framework on Việt Nam’s ocean plastic waste combined with environmentally-friendly ocean growth strategy.
The country aimed to reduce 65 per cent of non-biodegradable plastic bags used at supermarkets and shopping malls by 2020 compare to 2010.
By 2026, Việt Nam targets zero non-biodegradable plastic bags.
Technology application to limit landfills and take advantage of values from waste is an urgent task
Việt Nam has recently succeeded in turning waste to energy or organic carbon – a compound used to improve soil and applied in organic agriculture.
Because plastic waste treatment and recycle sector plays a big role in environmental protection and renewable energy development.
As one of the top five countries contributing to ocean plastics, activists, scientists and business leaders in Vietnam have recognized it’s time for change and the Embassy of Canada to Vietnam is proud to be a partner in addressing plastic pollution.
We must act now for the future of our planet!
Regarding the use of plastic bags and the long-term effects of them, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said plastic bag waste has a serious impact on the environment and human health.
If 10 percent of plastic waste is not recycled, the amount of plastic discharged in the country will reach 2.5 million tonnes per year.
It is necessary to amend regulations so that supermarkets and trade centres will not supply plastic bags for free so customers have to spend their own money to buy them when they shop, he said, adding that it is a measure adopted by many countries to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Over time, plastic waste slowly degrades and breaks down into smaller pieces called micro-plastics, which usually end up in the oceans and from there, potentially enters into the food chain.
By taking this joint action, Vietnam is willing to cooperate with international partners to act as change agents in reducing plastic pollution and raising awareness about its negative effects on humans, animals and the environment.
Say No to plastic watse!
It's needed to raise awareness on the negative impacts of plastic pollution, while advocating for changes – at the behavioural, institutional, and policy levels – that will reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in Vietnam.
Policy makers, business leaders, academia, and environmental activists should discuss the challenges in reducing plastic waste and recommend approaches to effectively address plastic pollution.
Not to buy or use disposable plastic water bottles in our offices, and endeavor to find alternatives to plastic for the meetings and events we organize.
Let's take actions now for people's right to live in a healthy environment.
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