Exchange trash for gifts.

People bring used plastic bottles, cans, and packaging to collection points to exchange for essential goods. This model, implemented by the Women's Union of Chau Thanh commune, is contributing to reducing plastic waste, building green living habits, and supporting members in difficult circumstances.

In the process of building new rural areas, alongside infrastructure investment, economic development, and improving people's lives, environmental criteria play a crucial role, contributing to creating a green, clean, civilized, and sustainable rural landscape. Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, Chairwoman of the Chau Thanh Commune Women's Union, stated: “Based on the reality of the increasing amount of plastic waste in daily life, the Union has implemented the ‘Exchange Plastic Waste for Essential Goods’ model to raise community awareness about environmental protection. This includes mobilizing members, women, and the people to sort waste at source, limit the use of single-use plastic products, maintain environmental hygiene, and build a civilized lifestyle in residential areas.”

Women members of Chau Thanh commune bring plastic waste to a collection point to exchange it for essential goods. Photo: BAO LE

The model was implemented simultaneously among members and women in the commune with the common goal of raising community awareness about environmental protection, especially reducing plastic waste. At the same time, it promotes solidarity and joint efforts in building a green, clean, and beautiful rural area. People bring recyclable waste such as plastic bottles, cans, and nylon bags to collection points to exchange them for rice and other daily necessities.

After implementation, the model received a positive response from a large number of members, women, and local people. “Recognizing this as a practical initiative that contributes to creating a green living environment, the women participated very enthusiastically. According to the plan, the model will hold quarterly meetings, with each session providing rice and essential supplies to 10-20 impoverished women,” Ms. Thanh Thuy shared.

As one of the active members mobilizing people to sort waste and protect the living environment, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga, residing in Minh Long neighborhood, said: "Besides group meetings, people can bring recyclable waste to the collection point at any time to exchange it for necessities." According to Ms. Nga, this flexibility has helped the model attract more and more members and women to participate, contributing to raising environmental awareness in the community.

Beyond simply collecting waste, the model also contributes to changing people's living habits towards an environmentally friendly approach. Through branch meetings, community gatherings, public address systems, and social media platforms, members and women are educated about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment and human health. Local women's branches also proactively establish management teams, arrange suitable waste collection points, organize regular collection, and coordinate with scrap metal buyers for recycling, creating a source of funding to maintain the model's operations.

What's valuable is that the revenue from selling scrap materials not only serves to exchange for essential goods but is also used to support members and women in difficult circumstances, contributing to the effective implementation of social welfare work in the locality. Ms. Lam Thi Ngoc Anh - Head of the Minh Long Hamlet Women's Association shared: “The model has received enthusiastic support from members and women. Because the model not only contributes to reducing plastic waste in the environment but also spreads the spirit of saving, green living awareness and community responsibility in each person. From plastic bottles and cans that were thought to be thrown away, they now have value in exchange for practical gifts to serve daily life.”

Small but meaningful actions are gradually transforming people's awareness and behavior regarding environmental protection through the "Exchange Plastic Waste for Essential Goods" model. The collected recyclable waste not only helps keep villages and neighborhoods cleaner but also fosters a spirit of sharing and community cohesion. "We hope that concrete activities like this will contribute to changing people's awareness, attitudes, and behaviors towards the environment, creating environmentally friendly practices within the community, especially among women," Ms. Thanh Thuy expressed.

MOC TRA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doi-rac-lay-qua-a487005.html