Turn waste into gifts

Promoting the vanguard spirit of youth in environmental protection, in recent times, the Youth Union of Than Khe commune has implemented many creative and practical activities. In particular, the model "Turning waste into gifts" has become a prominent highlight, both reducing environmental pollution and creating a fund to support children in difficult circumstances. From a simple idea, the model quickly spread into a widespread movement, attracting the participation of union members, youth and people in the commune.

Báo Hưng Yên•03/12/2025

The Youth Union of Than Khe commune went to each production facility in the commune to collect scrap.

Every month, more than 100 youth union members are regularly mobilized to collect scrap at production facilities and households. Seemingly worthless items such as soft drink cans, cardboard, plastic bottles, scrap paper or scrap iron are carefully sorted by the young people and gathered at the commune's collection point. Afterwards, the scrap is sold to raise funds to buy books, school supplies and meaningful gifts for children in difficult circumstances.

Since its implementation, the model has received great consensus from the people. Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen, Duyen Trang village shared: Previously, cans and plastic bottles in the house were all thrown away. But since this model was created, she has kept them to contribute to raising funds for the children. It is a small but meaningful work.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thu, Secretary of Duyen Truong Village Youth Union: Each member not only collects scrap but is also an active propagandist. They guide people to classify scrap at home and proactively contact them when they need to collect it. The good news is that people not only support but also actively participate; many families keep their scrap aside and call members to pick it up.

From 2024 to now, the model has collected more than 2 tons of cardboard, more than 470 kg of scrap iron and aluminum, about 4,000 cans and 500 kg of recycled plastic. The entire fund from selling scrap was used by the Commune Youth Union to buy gifts for poor students. In 2025 alone, the unit organized 5 scrap collection sessions, earning more than 10 million VND. On the occasion of the National Great Unity Day on November 18, 2025, the Commune Youth Union presented 50 gifts, each worth 200,000 VND, to disadvantaged youth and children.

Dinh Van Tien, Quang Trung village emotionally shared: I am very happy. My family is still poor, sometimes we don't even have a notebook to write on. Receiving gifts from you guys, I feel like I have more strength. I promise to try my best to study well so as not to disappoint everyone's kindness.

Than Khe Commune Youth Union gives gifts to poor children in Noi Thon village.

In addition to collecting scrap, the youth union members of Than Khe commune are also creative in communication, helping the model spread widely. Short videos posted on social networks, talks at the village cultural house, or in the activities of the youth union all incorporate messages of environmental protection. Thanks to that, people's awareness is increasingly raised; the classification of waste and scrap is gradually becoming a habit in every family. Mr. Bui Quang Tao, Secretary of the Youth Union of Than Khe commune, said: The model was born from the fact that the amount of household waste is increasing. What we want is not only to raise funds but also to create a habit of classifying waste, raising awareness of environmental protection in the community. Thanks to the perseverance of the youth union members, that habit is gradually forming in every household. In the coming time, we will maintain and replicate the model throughout the commune, and at the same time plan to build more fixed collection points for people to conveniently contribute scrap.

The model of “Turning waste into gifts” started with small actions but created great effects, contributing to environmental protection, nurturing the spirit of mutual love and spreading the beautiful image of the union members and youth of Than Khe commune. That affirms a simple but profound truth: When the heart is still passionate, every small action can bring great meaning to the community.

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