Phu Tho province responds to “no plastic waste” campaign

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Many agencies, units and businesses across the northern province of Phu Tho have been taking specific actions in response to the “no plastic waste” campaign.

Instead of using nylon bags to pack agricultural products as previously, farmers at the Thu Xa safe vegetable cooperative in Lam Thao district are now using banana leaves, which are easily available in rural areas, to wrap many kinds of vegetables and tubers.

Director of the cooperative Nguyen Van Nghia said using banana leaves will increase the cost and time to wrap products, but it brings long-term benefits for the living environment. 

Actively responding to the movement, units under the provincial People’s Committee Office have taken the lead in ending the use of disposable plastic products at meetings, conferences, seminars and other activities. Instead, environmentally-friendly products are used.

Youth unions at all levels have also implemented a number of practical activities such as collecting, sorting and treating plastic waste, and cleaning the environment at historical relic sites, cemeteries, and monuments of fallen soldiers. They also conduct educational activities to raise public awareness, especially among youngsters, about the harmful effects of plastic waste and the importance of environmental protection, thus engaging the public in limiting the use of nylon bags and single-use plastic products.

As a result, in over a month, the local youth unions disseminated information about the harmful impacts of plastic waste to over 2,000 people; collected more than 28.5 tonnes of waste; and cleaned up over 10km of canals and 105km of rural roads.

Youth unions also held activities to make toys and decorations at schools from plastic waste.

The provincial education and training sector has directed its departments and schools to encourage teachers and students to actively participate in the fight against plastic waste.

Education facilities take practical actions to limit the use of nylon bags and single-use plastic products. Plastic bottled drinks and cups will not be used in meetings, conferences and seminars.

To spread the movement, the Standing Committee of the provincial Party Committee has just issued Directive No.20-CT/TU on further strengthening the leadership and direction of the implementation of the movement.

The document requires all agencies, units and localities across the province to implement the commitment of preventing plastic waste, towards ending completely the use of disposable plastic material.

Departments and agencies must immediately reduce the use of single-use plastic products like bottled water, straws and disposable cups during their activities, while selecting environmentally-friendly products. Party committees and Party members are required to lead the movement.
 
The province will support the development of environmentally-friendly products and attract investment in recycling single-use plastics and persistent nylon bags using advanced technologies.

Vietnam is one of the five countries discharging the most plastic waste into the ocean, according to international organisations.

Although there are no official statistics on the amount and varieties of plastic in the Vietnamese sea and islands, plastic waste is easy to see in Vietnamese waters, with the country’s 112 estuaries the main gateways of plastic to the ocean.

The Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) estimated that about 80 tonnes of plastic waste and bags are thrown away every day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City combined.

On the positive side, Vietnam has taken efforts to manage imported plastic scrap and monitor plastic production and consumption.

In 2018, Vietnam proposed Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia and launched initiatives to foster global co-operation in plastic waste reduction.

The MONRE aims to reduce 65 percent of non-biodegradable plastic bags used at supermarkets and shopping malls by 2020 compare to 2010. By 2026, Vietnam targets zero non-biodegradable plastic bags./.