Women are spreading the habit of living green every day.

The green living movement among women in Hai Phong is spreading rapidly, from changing behaviors to building community models.

Leaders of the Vietnam Women's Union present the third prize of the "Women Creating a Green Future" competition to Ms. Vu Thi Mai Thuy, President of the Thien Huong Ward Women's Union (second from the left).

Start with small actions.

In Thien Huong ward, most household waste is collected in mixed form, making processing difficult and reducing its recyclability.

Based on that reality, Ms. Vu Thi Mai Thuy, President of the Women's Union of the ward, developed the initiative "Waste sorting at source, small action, big meaning," making waste sorting a regular movement integrated into the activities of the women's branches.

The innovative aspect of this initiative is the combination of awareness campaigns, training, practical guidance, equipment distribution, monitoring, and recognition and rewards.

From July 2025 to the present, all 26 women's associations in the area have equipped their community centers, residential areas, and public places with waste sorting bins. After a period of implementation, approximately 75% - 80% of women's association member households are sorting waste at source. The amount of waste requiring landfilling has decreased by about 25% - 30%.

Many women's groups also generate additional income from selling recyclable waste to raise funds for charity. During the recent Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), the association distributed 60 gift packages worth over 20 million VND to disadvantaged women and children in the area. With this initiative, Ms. Thuy was awarded third prize nationwide in the "Women Creating a Green Future" competition in 2026 by the Vietnam Women's Union.

"For the movement to be sustainable, it needs to start with small actions, close to daily life, and promote the role of women. The association has organized training for more than 300 female members, gradually building a core force to participate in local activities," Ms. Thuy said.

As a teacher at Dai Son Kindergarten (Dai Son commune), Ms. Luong Thi Hoai Thuong has always been concerned about environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. Based on this reality, she developed the initiative "Green Lifestyle: Women Say No to Plastic Bags and Plastic Waste," aiming to change behavior rather than simply raising awareness.

The initiative proposes various models such as: "Green Bag Station," "Handmade Paper Bags," "Exchange Waste for Gifts," "Green Fund," "Green Points," etc., forming a closed loop from awareness campaigns and practical application to maintaining long-term motivation.

According to Ms. Thuong, simple actions such as limiting the use of plastic bags, bringing cloth bags when shopping, or sorting waste at home can all contribute to positive changes. The initiative aims not only to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated but also to utilize recycled materials to create resources to support disadvantaged students and serve environmental protection activities.

Towards sustainable development

Women's association members in Thien Huong ward are implementing the initiative "Waste sorting at source, small actions, big impact" through the "Waste of Compassion" model.

The green living movement is being widely implemented by all levels of the Hai Phong Women's Union and has become one of the key contents associated with building new rural areas and civilized urban areas.

By integrating environmental protection efforts with campaigns to build "5 no's, 3 clean" and "5 yes's, 3 clean" families, the various levels of associations have strengthened propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage members to sort waste at source, reduce plastic waste, and develop green consumption models.

From the green living movement, the Women's Union at all levels in the city has initiated and inaugurated 266 environmental protection projects; planted and cared for more than 129,000 trees; collected 1,235 tons of waste; and attracted more than 46,000 members and women to participate in environmental sanitation activities.

Over 3,000 environmental protection models continue to be maintained and effectively promoted with many innovative approaches such as: "Green House", "Turning Waste into Money", "From Waste to Scholarships", "Women Living Green"...

A notable highlight is that environmental protection activities are not only carried out during peak periods but are gradually becoming a regular part of daily life. Many female members have become active contributors, helping to spread a green lifestyle in their residential areas.

According to Pham Thi Thuy Hai, Vice President of the City Women's Union, in the coming time, the union will continue to innovate the content and methods of propaganda in a way that is close to, easy to implement, and connected to the daily lives of members and the people; at the same time, focusing on replicating effective models, promoting communication on digital platforms, and promoting the role of communication task forces to change behavior in the community.

The Women's Union of Thien Huong Ward presented gifts to families in difficult circumstances from the fund of the "Waste Sorting at Source, Small Actions, Big Meaning" model.

The association also collaborates with various sectors, localities, businesses, and social organizations to mobilize social resources, strengthen training, and improve knowledge and skills in environmental protection for female officials and members, contributing to the formation of green living habits, green consumption, and the building of a sustainable development community.

NGUYEN NGUYEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/phu-nu-lan-toa-thoi-quen-song-xanh-moi-ngay-544218.html