Together we can fight plastic waste

Enterprises operate in strict compliance with environmental regulations, arrange hazardous waste collection areas, and classify waste (In photo: Staff of Hoa Binh Industrial Park (Thu Thua district) classify plastic waste)

Meaningful and practical action

World Environment Day (June 5) was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the theme "Combating Plastic Pollution", calling on the global community to take drastic action to address plastic waste . This is the second time in 3 years (2023-2025) that this theme has been chosen, clearly demonstrating the global priority in controlling plastic pollution; at the same time, reaffirming the commitment to effectively use resources, protect biodiversity, enhance adaptability, promote innovation and strengthen regional and international cooperation, towards a circular economy and sustainable development.

In Long An, according to statistics, the volume of solid waste collected and transported for treatment in urban areas is about 780-820 tons/day, plastic waste accounts for about 16% of household waste; of which, disposable plastic products and nylon bags account for a large proportion. To join hands in fighting plastic waste, over the years, the province has responded and organized many specific and practical activities. Every year, the province organizes training courses, propaganda of laws on environmental protection, waste classification at source, attracting 7,800 participants who are environmental management officers at district and commune levels, organizations, unions, and enterprises.

The province mobilizes agencies, organizations and people to participate in environmental protection movements to eliminate spontaneous landfills in residential areas, have no plastic bottles in meeting rooms, give environmentally friendly shopping bags to delegates and people at markets, etc. The province also regularly inspects the collection, transportation and treatment of waste; focuses resources to thoroughly solve environmental pollution problems from waste; strictly handles individuals and units that violate regulations on waste management.

The province is piloting the implementation of waste classification at source - this is one of the practical and effective tasks and solutions, contributing to reducing the amount of household waste as well as reducing plastic waste.

According to the representative of Hoa Binh Industrial Park (Thu Thua district) - Luong Hoang Vy, the unit is fully aware of its responsibility in environmental protection and strictly complies with relevant legal regulations. We build and operate a centralized wastewater treatment system that meets standards, install an automatic monitoring station that transmits data 24/7 to the province for monitoring and supervision. The area is arranged with green spaces, and signs a contract for waste collection and treatment with a unit that has full functions according to regulations. Regarding the issue of plastic waste, the area generates relatively little, mainly self-collection, classification and reuse.

At the same time, hazardous waste is arranged in a separate area for treatment. We participate in training courses organized by the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD), thereby supplementing necessary knowledge on environmental protection and fully disseminating it to secondary businesses in the area to understand and implement. In response to World Environment Day this year, the area has a plan to fully disseminate regulations to businesses and workers, classify waste, reduce the use of disposable plastics, etc.

In particular, the province has currently piloted the implementation of waste classification at source - this is one of the practical and effective tasks and solutions, contributing to reducing household waste as well as plastic waste, raising public awareness of environmental protection.

According to Vice Chairman of Vinh Hung District People's Committee - Vo Van Bao, the locality was selected by the province to pilot the model of waste classification at source in rural areas of Thai Tri commune and Vinh Hung town. Over the time of implementing the model, waste classification at source has brought positive and practical results. People responded to participate, raised awareness, knew how to classify waste, facilitated the treatment process, and reduced the amount of waste. Collection units improved their professional capacity and promoted their role. When waste is thoroughly classified, each type of waste has a suitable treatment method, which will reduce treatment costs and reduce environmental impacts. Currently, the district is coordinating with units to expand the model to the remaining communes.

Join hands to reduce plastic waste

Joint activities to reduce plastic waste have been effectively implemented, contributing to raising awareness of environmental protection (In photo: People in Vinh Hung district classify waste)

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - Nguyen Tan Thuan informed: World Environment Day 05/06/2025 launched by UNEP aims to strongly convey the message of building a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature; rationally using natural resources, biodiversity and adapting to climate change; controlling and solving plastic waste pollution through policies, initiatives and participating in global and regional cooperation mechanisms; moving towards a greener, cleaner lifestyle; increasing recycling and reuse; promoting the building of a green economy, circular economy and sustainable development; effectively implementing anti-plastic waste policies.

According to the assessment, the activities deployed and implemented in the past time in the province have gradually raised public awareness about the impact and harm of plastic pollution, mobilized and called on the community to change their behavior and habits of using disposable plastic products to take practical and effective actions in maintaining public hygiene, minimizing environmental pollution, contributing to protecting the environment to become increasingly green, clean and beautiful.

To effectively implement the Campaign "Join hands to reduce plastic waste - Spread green lifestyle", the Department proposed that the province focus on 4 key issues that need to be paid attention to and implemented in the coming time. First, it is necessary to propagate the restriction of the use of disposable plastic products in many forms, combining traditional and modern methods (short videos, social networks, digital platforms). The communication method is suitable for each target group (people, businesses, youth, students, local officials, facilities, ...) and ensures visuality, ease of understanding, and ease of application.

Second, it is necessary to thoroughly collect waste; at the same time, effectively classify waste at source, launch a movement to mobilize community participation in collecting and classifying used products made from plastic, packaging, nylon bags and transporting them to recycling and treatment sites according to regulations; apply sanctions if illegal dumping of waste occurs.

Third, encourage the reuse and recycling of plastic products; attract investment in businesses that invest in modern, highly efficient recycling technology, save resources, minimize environmental risks and create added value from waste.

Fourth, encourage the use of environmentally friendly products by continuing to perfect and promulgate synchronous regulations, mechanisms and incentive policies to promote businesses to produce environmentally friendly products, replacing single-use plastic products and hard-to-decompose nylon bags, towards a green economic model and a circular economy./.

Thanh My

Source: https://baolongan.vn/cung-gop-suc-day-lui-rac-thai-nhua-a196552.html