An environmental protection programme will be carried out in 2019 to help improve plastic consumption habits.
The programme, named “Caravan Can Gio”, was announced in Ho Chi Minh City on May 15 by the Vietnam Plastics Association (VPAS) and the HCM City Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (HACNE).Under the programme, the two organisations will join hands to promote the sorting of solid waste in Ho Chi Minh City via coordination with local schools and district authorities, and organise tree planting and clean-up activities.The two organisations plan to carry out this programme in Can Gio district of HCM City, Da Nang city or Quy Nhon city of Binh Dinh province in the central region, and Van Don district of the northern province of Quang Ninh.The events will feature exhibitions introducing green initiatives, green businesses and environmentally friendly products. Organisers will also call on people to join in beach cleanups and present dustbins to local schools, aiming to help change consumption habits and promote plastic waste treatment.VPAS Chairman Ho Duc Lam said plastic products are indispensable in the daily life. Therefore, to reduce the release of plastic waste into the environment, it is necessary to involve multiple parties and have public support.The Caravan Can Gio programme is a practical activity helping with sustainable development and environmental protection, he noted.Echoing the view, HACNE Secretary General Van Thi Minh Hoa said this programme will also be an occasion for businesses to join hands to protect the environment, thereby encouraging them to make innovations and produce environmentally friendly products.According to international organisations, Vietnam is one of Asia’s five worst polluters of ocean plastic waste. With 13 million tonnes of waste discharged into the ocean every year, the country ranks 17th in the world for ocean plastic waste pollution.The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment estimated that 80 tonnes of plastic waste and bags are thrown away every day in Hanoi and HCM City alone.
