Phu Le spreads the model of exchanging plastic waste for trees

BDK.VN - In Phu Le commune, Ba Tri district, there is a very creative but easy way to protect the environment, which is to collect plastic waste and exchange it for trees. Each soft drink can, each plastic bottle, each nylon bag... is collected, not thrown away, but brought to the "Exchange plastic waste for trees" model of the Women's Union of the commune to exchange for a tree sprout. This idea was launched by the Women's Union of Phu Le commune on May 18, 2023 and up to now, the model has gone through more than 2 years, spreading to every alley.

Model of exchanging plastic waste for trees of Women's Union of Phu Le commune (Ba Tri).

Every bag of trash gets a green sprout

When it first started, the model had only 11 members, led by Ms. Ho Truc Ly. Once a month on the 18th, the women gathered at Ms. Cao Thi Phi’s house to collect plastic waste and exchange trees. Gradually, the number of participants increased to 25 members, then spread to neighboring households. “The precious thing is that the collected waste can be exchanged for trees to plant, and when the flowers bloom, I feel happy inside. There is no need to do anything big, just exchanging a few bottles and bottles can make our neighborhood cleaner,” Ms. Ho Truc Ly shared.

To date, the model has brought in more than 250 trees, including all kinds: royal poinciana, hibiscus, apricot blossom, coccus, guava, longan, etc. Some trees are planted around the house, some are planted on the street, some are placed solemnly in front of the martyrs’ shrine during Tet. Each tree is “bought” with waste, and “cared for” with the love of nature of the people.

People bring their scrap, have it weighed, and are given trees based on the volume. The plastic waste is then sorted and sold, using the funds to buy more trees for the next batch. A green cycle - economical, practical, and cohesive. “No trees come for free. We have to pick up each can, collect each plastic bag. We sell the trash and buy trees to bring back in exchange. I am happy to do a small but useful thing,” Ms. Ho Truc Ly added.

The model's activities not only help reduce the amount of plastic waste released into the environment, but also help form the habit of sorting waste at home. Through each garbage exchange, many households began to pay more attention to what is recyclable waste, what is organic waste, and how to properly handle it. The practice of burning and littering waste in the past has now significantly decreased.

Many people join hands to contribute

Initially, only the association members participated, but over time, the model spread to many people outside the association. Anyone who found the model interesting and meaningful automatically collected scrap and brought it. There was no need for much propaganda, the model spoke for itself through changes in landscape and thinking.

Mr. Pham Van Hoang, a resident of Phu Le commune, said: “At first, I thought only women did it. But when I saw the cleaner streets with trees, I thought it was so beautiful, so I also collected trash from my house and brought it to exchange for trees. Now the front yard has beautiful flowering trees.”

Ms. Ho Thi Tham, a member from the beginning, shared: “Since joining the model, I have been more aware of waste classification. Every time I get a tree back, my whole family takes care of it. When I see the tree blooming, I feel that the effort of collecting trash is worth it.”

The model is not only a story of exchanging trash for trees, but also a gentle reminder of the love of the village and the contribution to creating a new rural appearance. The road with more rows of village trees is brighter and cooler. People passing by find it beautiful, and those who plant trees love the place they live more. Also from this model, the "Green Ba Tri" movement has received a wider response. Because each small action, when collected, can also make a big change.

The valuable thing about the model is the simple, unpretentious way of doing things. There are no long slogans, the women just pick up beer cans, sort through trash bags, and buy potted plants to bring home.

After more than 2 years, the model of exchanging plastic waste for green trees is no longer the sole work of the Women's Union, but has become a green activity in the daily life of Phu Le people. In a peaceful countryside, green trees have sprouted from waste and above all, sprouted from the kindness and sincerity of people who want to contribute to beautifying the place where they live.

Article and photos: Minh Ngoc

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/phu-le-lan-toa-mo-hinh-doi-rac-thai-nhua-lay-cay-xanh-23062025-a148584.html