Con Dao becomes a city that reduces plastic waste.

Con Dao is the 9th locality in Vietnam to join the "Plastic-Free Cities" initiative launched by WWF, with a commitment to reduce plastic waste by 30% by 2025. After 3 years of participating in the "Plastic-Free Cities" network, Con Dao district has achieved many positive results.

Visitors to Hang Duong Cemetery adhere to the "green offering basket" program.

Come without bringing plastic.

Due to its unique location in the middle of the sea, Con Dao is severely affected by ocean plastic waste, especially in mangrove forests, coral reefs, and rocky areas. In recent years, the rapid increase in tourism has also led to a significant increase in plastic waste. According to statistics, the amount of solid household waste generated daily in Con Dao is approximately 24-25 tons/day, with over 100,000 tons of unprocessed waste accumulating in the Bai Nhat area. The amount of plastic waste from tourism activities alone in Con Dao reaches 221.4 tons/year, of which plastic waste generated at accommodation and tourism service establishments accounts for 33.3%.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Nga, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao District, said that reducing plastic waste pollution is one of the issues that provincial and district leaders and many environmental protection organizations are concerned about in the process of economic development and environmental protection of Con Dao District. Since March 2022, WWF-Vietnam and the People's Committee of Con Dao District have signed a commitment under the theme "Con Dao - A Destination for Reducing Plastic." The campaign aims to raise awareness among tourists so that each visitor becomes more responsible when visiting Con Dao.

Achieving the above goals requires close coordination among local authorities, agencies, organizations, businesses, communities, and tourists in reducing the consumption of single-use plastics, addressing the accumulated waste in the environment, strengthening the management of household solid waste, and focusing on the treatment of plastic waste.

After three years of implementation, numerous activities have been organized to promote environmental protection and reduce plastic waste in Con Dao district, such as: a plastic reduction week across the entire island; an exhibition "Plastic Sea Adventure" combined with a "Waste-for-Gifts Day"; mobilizing local people to participate in plastic reduction; and implementing plastic reduction in the Marine Protected Area through waste collection in ecological zones, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. As of June 1st, 176 tons of plastic waste have been collected; 145 tourism establishments have committed to reducing plastic; 100% of the population has participated in raising awareness; and the models of "Plastic-Reducing Schools," "Green Houses," and "Plastic-Free Destinations" are being replicated throughout the district.

Students at Le Hong Phong Secondary School (Con Dao district) are implementing a plastic reduction program by collecting recyclable plastic waste.

Leave behind love.

With the message "Come without plastic, leave with love," in 2022, the People's Committee of Con Dao District became the 9th locality in Vietnam to participate in the "Plastic-Free Cities" initiative launched by WWF. Responding to this campaign, currently 145 accommodation establishments in the district are implementing plastic reduction measures. Many of these establishments have reduced the use of single-use plastics by 50% in their tourism business activities, such as replacing plastic water bottles with glass bottles; using paper straws, containers, and bags; using reusable glass bottles for shampoo and shower gel; or providing guests with reusable cloth bags during their stay to limit plastic bags.

The Secret Con Dao Hotel opened in late 2020. According to hotel representatives, from the outset, the hotel has implemented measures to minimize plastic waste and protect the environment, through the use of eco-friendly materials for toothpaste, soap, and toothbrushes; minimizing the use of plastic bags from suppliers; using paper bags for customer service; and using RO water that meets standards and is bottled in sterilized containers, completely replacing single-use plastic bottles…

In particular, the "Green Offering Basket" program, which started on June 1, 2024, every Saturday, and will be implemented widely from 2025, will feature neat and tidy offering baskets and trays, and will exclude the use of: votive paper, plastic bags, floral foam, and other single-use plastic products. Ms. Pham Thi Tam, Deputy Director of the Provincial Museum and Library, stated that after one year of implementing the "Green Offering Basket" program, nearly 100% of residents and tourists no longer use votive paper, floral foam, plastic bags, and other single-use plastic products during visits to historical sites; the AQI (Air Quality Index) at historical sites throughout Con Dao district has improved significantly…

Text and photos: QUANG VU

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/kinh-te/202506/con-dao-tro-thanh-do-thi-giam-nhua-1044435/