Join hands to reduce plastic waste, build a green lifestyle

Currently, plastic waste is increasingly negatively affecting the ecosystem, living environment, human health and sustainable development. At many international forums, Vietnam has proposed initiatives and participated in global and regional cooperation mechanisms to address plastic waste. With the goal of moving towards a plastic waste-free environment, in recent times, all levels, sectors and localities in Phu Tho province have actively promoted, mobilized and implemented solutions to change people's awareness and habits, towards a "green" lifestyle.

The model of "Reducing plastic waste in public places" of the Women's Union of Tu Vu commune (Thanh Thuy district) contributes to raising environmental protection awareness among members.

From awareness to action

Plastic waste is discharged into the environment from many different sources such as from daily life, industrial activities, agriculture, tourism, services, medical activities... A large amount of plastic waste after use is not classified separately but mixed with household waste, making it difficult to collect and treat, leading to a situation that scientists call white pollution. It takes hundreds, even thousands of years for plastic and nylon waste in the ground to completely decompose. They hinder the growth and development of animals and plants, narrow the living space of organisms and are toxic to the living environment. Our country is making efforts to eliminate pollution caused by plastic waste by diversifying investment sources for environmental protection and orienting economic development towards green growth.

In the province, the current amount of domestic waste generated is about 900 tons/day, of which plastic waste accounts for 8-16%. In urban areas, the amount of collected and treated solid waste is about 98%, in rural areas this figure is about 77%. That means there is still a quantity of waste, including plastic waste, that has not been collected and treated thoroughly.

To limit the negative impacts of plastic waste, the province has issued directive documents, such as: Directive No. 20-CT/TU, dated June 22, 2019 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on continuing to strengthen leadership and direction in implementing the "anti-plastic waste" movement; Project on collection, transportation and treatment of domestic waste in the province for the period 2021 - 2025; Plan to implement the National Action Program on sustainable production and consumption in the province for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030... On December 30, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued a Plan for classifying domestic solid waste at source in the province until 2030, which provides guidance on identification and techniques for classifying domestic solid waste and plastic waste for effective treatment measures.

The process of combating plastic waste has received the active participation of the entire political system, with many drastic solutions to limit the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic products, and encourage the collection and recycling of plastic waste starting with specific actions. Propaganda activities have been promoted in many forms such as dramatization, through activities of mass organizations, building models... to help members and people understand the meaning of environmental protection and proper disposal of plastic waste.

Tien Du Commune (Phu Ninh District) maintains over 500 hectares of annual crop growing area each year. In addition, the locality has 15 enterprises and about 130 business and service households, so the amount of solid waste generated is relatively large, especially during peak production seasons. Comrade Nguyen Hong Chat - Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee said: "In order to reduce the pressure from waste generated, including plastic waste, the commune has promoted propaganda to each household about environmental protection, changing waste disposal habits in daily life and production. People are instructed to classify waste at the source, separating organic waste, inorganic waste and waste containing plastic components. In agriculture , mobilize and guide people to use agricultural waste such as straw to cover the bed surface instead of covering with plastic to limit weeds; collect pesticide packaging in the right place, avoid littering on the banks of fields and canals".

Many localities and units in the province periodically launch activities to collect and recycle plastic waste at markets, residential areas, supermarkets, etc. to encourage consumers to minimize the use of plastic products and nylon bags, raising the sense of responsibility of the community. Based on their functions and tasks, socio-political organizations have proactively integrated communication content on environmental protection into their programs and action plans, combining well the work of education and propaganda with the construction of a model for collecting and classifying plastic waste at the source. Enterprises have also initially researched and applied biological materials, recycled packaging, and implemented a circular economy model.

Through practical implementation, it has been shown that the fight against plastic waste requires synchronous and long-term participation, suitable to practical conditions and sustainable development requirements in the new period.

Cao Xa Commune (Lam Thao District) has deployed a model of a tank to collect pesticide packaging, helping to classify and treat plastic waste generated in agricultural production in accordance with regulations.

Foundational solutions for a sustainable future

The rapid industrialization and urbanization process has promoted socio-economic development but also posed many environmental challenges when the amount of waste, especially plastic waste, is increasing while the treatment infrastructure has not kept up and the awareness and consciousness of a part of the population is still limited.

In order to strongly convey the message and build a sustainable lifestyle, reduce plastic waste harmful to the environment, this year's World Environment Day (June 5) has the theme "Fighting plastic pollution" with the focus on "Join hands to reduce plastic waste - Spreading green lifestyle". This is the second time in three years (2023-2025) that the World Environment Day theme on plastic waste has been chosen, clearly demonstrating the global priority in controlling plastic pollution. At the same time, it reaffirms the commitment to effectively use resources, protect biodiversity, enhance adaptability, promote innovation and strengthen regional - global cooperation, towards a circular economy and sustainable development. In addition to the general message, World Environment Day also conveys specific messages on limiting plastic waste for each subject such as communities and households; businesses; youth, students; Local authorities and grassroots authorities to create widespread and practical dissemination.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Tho - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, to raise people's awareness, the province has integrated the content of plastic waste reduction into plans and implemented activities in response to World Environment Day on June 5, the Campaign to Make the World Cleaner, International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, National Week of Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation... In particular, to ensure sustainable environmental protection activities, it is necessary to continue to improve state management of waste in general and plastic waste in particular. Seriously implement the Plan to classify domestic solid waste at source by 2030, contributing to reducing pressure on the environment, promoting people's awareness and responsibility in practicing a green lifestyle. Along with that, each organization and individual needs to raise awareness and change their behavior towards being environmentally friendly, from consumption to waste treatment, contributing to controlling plastic pollution, implementing climate commitments and national sustainable development goals.

Combating plastic waste is not just a short-term environmental campaign but a process of transforming development thinking, innovating production and consumption models and comprehensively adjusting social behavior. When communication, education, management and practical actions are carried out synchronously, it will create a solid foundation for the goal of reducing pollution from plastic waste, building a clean and sustainable living environment for the present and the future.

Nguyen Hue

Source: https://baophutho.vn/chung-tay-giam-thieu-rac-thai-nhua-xay-dung-loi-song-xanh-233923.htm