Positive changes of the model "Market to reduce plastic waste"

Han Market - one of the largest markets in Da Nang attracts not only local people but also domestic and foreign tourists to visit and shop. Along with the large amount of goods consumed is the amount of waste, especially plastic waste that is difficult to decompose.

According to a survey by WWF - Vietnam at Han market in 2021, the amount of solid waste emitted from the market is 800 - 1,000 kg/day, plastic waste accounts for 15.1%, of which 66.4% is nylon. About 10 kg of nylon bags are distributed through daily shopping. Of which, 4L and 7L bags account for the majority, double the amount of nylon bags under 1L and 12L. Therefore, changing the habit of using nylon bags in shopping activities at the market is very necessary to move towards sustainable shopping, contributing to environmental protection.

In 2022, the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang City coordinated with the World Wildlife Fund in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam) to select Han Market as a pilot market to launch the "Plastic Waste Reduction Market" model.

After a period of implementation, up to now, at Han market, there are 52 stalls with "Eco-labels" issued by the Department of Industry and Trade. Eco-stalls include 3 main groups of criteria: Promoting reduction, reuse, recycling and use of environmentally friendly materials to replace hard-to-decompose plastic products in sales, packaging and display; Using energy efficiently, turning off lights and electrical equipment when not in use; Regularly participating in environmental protection activities.

At the stalls with the “Eco-label”, traders will use paper bags to replace plastic bags when selling to customers; at the same time, use baskets made of environmentally friendly materials such as rattan and bamboo to replace plastic baskets.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (a merchant at Han Market) said that when she joined the “eco-label” stall, she changed her habit of using plastic bags when selling to customers to paper bags. She received support from WWF – Vietnam for one of these paper bags. In addition, she also proactively imported environmentally friendly packaging, imported goods and requested that facilities pack products with recycled materials.

“I find that using paper bags makes my products more beautiful and luxurious. Especially at Han market, there are many foreign tourists, they really like environmentally friendly bags like that. From there, my business also becomes easier. In addition, there are some customers who request plastic bags for convenience, so I persuade and promote to them the benefits of using more environmentally friendly bags,” said Ms. Lan.

It can be seen that the use of paper bags helps to reduce a large amount of plastic waste at Han market. However, besides being environmentally friendly, some traders at Han market said that paper bags also have many limitations such as: when holding heavy products (rice, fish sauce, eggs...), the handle is easily broken, and when it rains, the bag will also tear, leading to product damage...

As a small trader in food spices, Ms. Huynh Thi Phi said that when participating in the “market to reduce plastic waste” model, she was given cloth bags, paper bags, and beautiful product display boxes. Since then, Phi’s daily business activities at her stall have reduced the amount of disposable plastic waste.

On the other hand, Ms. Phi shared that if customers buy heavy items, it is difficult to put them in paper bags. At the same time, the cost of reusable bags is also very high, making business people like her worried.

Mr. Nguyen Thu, Deputy Manager of Han Market, said that up to now, the Market Management Board is making efforts to promote and encourage, in order to help traders and consumers change their habits of using plastic bags, towards green and sustainable consumption. However, in the process of implementation, many difficulties and challenges are encountered. However, Mr. Thu still believes that "slow and steady wins the race".

“Every day, the market management board will monitor, urge and encourage traders to use paper bags and cloth bags to carry goods for customers. Once a habit has formed, it is difficult to give up. This is not something that can be achieved overnight. We always believe that in the future, there will be more stalls with “eco-labels” so that Han market can truly become a bright spot in the model of a market that reduces plastic waste,” Mr. Thu shared.

At the same time, we hope to receive more attention and support from organizations and local authorities to have more effective ways to save packaging costs for small traders, promote the use of biodegradable plastic bags to increase efficiency and superiority when storing heavy goods.

Recently, the Department of Industry and Trade issued Plan No. 1681/KH-SCT dated June 28, 2024 on continuing to implement the pilot model of the Plastic Waste Reduction Market at Han Market in 2024. The plan is implemented to raise awareness and responsibility of the community, support people to change their habits of using plastic bags and disposable plastic products, and at the same time promote the collection and recycling of plastic products towards reducing the burden on the environment; attract participation, raise public awareness of waste classification and plastic waste reduction.

Accordingly, the priority activities to be implemented at Han Market in 2024 include: Implementing solutions to promote eco-stalls at Han Market: direction and communication panels at Han Market, Han Market Eco-Bag Station; Continuing to support the improvement of some necessary equipment for certified stalls in 2023: paper bags for containing products, improving boxes, cabinets, shelves, boxes... to store goods to minimize the use of plastic bags and disposable plastic; Mobilizing traders and people to participate in activities to reduce plastic waste, gift collection and exchange activities in the Green Sunday event...

Regarding information and propaganda work, the Department of Industry and Trade assigned the Han Market Management Board and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to coordinate in producing communication products (posters, news/radio broadcasts, communication gifts); organizing a series of communication activities to promote the Han Market destination to reduce plastic waste through increasing interaction with traders and tourists shopping at the market.

Since early 2024, traders at Han market have participated in two training courses related to the issue of reducing plastic waste at the market.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Huy - WWF Vietnam, who directly organized environmental protection training courses for traders at Han Market, said that at the training sessions, traders learned about the current environmental situation, the impact of plastic waste on human health. At the same time, they were instructed on how to classify waste at source, reduce the use of plastic bags in the business process, and the roles and responsibilities of traders at the market.

In addition to Han Market, traditional markets in the city also implement the model of "Markets to reduce plastic waste". With the goal of "Every household limits plastic waste, everyone prevents plastic waste pollution, society moves towards saying no to single-use plastic waste", Hoa Minh Ward Youth Union deploys giving away cloth bags, self-destructing plastic bags; encourages traders and customers to limit the use of plastic bags when going to the market. Along with that, actively replace single-use plastic products with environmentally friendly products in daily living habits.

Through this activity, not only does it promote the volunteer role of local youth in environmental protection, but it also widely propagates, contributing to forming awareness and positive attitudes among people about environmental protection issues.

With the joint efforts of authorities at all levels, organizations and people, the reduction of plastic waste in traditional markets in the city is increasingly spreading and creating positive effects. This contributes to building a green - clean - beautiful Da Nang city, becoming an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

BA VINH

Source: https://www.danang.gov.vn/web/guest/chinh-quyen/chi-tiet?id=61155&_c=3