Hard - to-break consumer habits

According to the 2022 report on plastic waste generation in Vietnam, conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Vietnam) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , Vietnam generates approximately 8,021 tons of plastic waste per day, equivalent to about 2.93 million tons per year. The majority of this is single-use plastic such as plastic bags, styrofoam containers, and straws.

The report also points out an alarming fact: microplastic pollution has been recorded in all soil, water, air, and sediment environments in Vietnam. In particular, at the Phuoc Hiep landfill in Ho Chi Minh City, the rate of microplastic deposition reached 1,367 particles/m²/day, 50 times higher than the monitoring results in Paris, France. Microplastic levels are also very high in Hanoi 's rivers and lakes. Microplastic pollution directly impacts human health through ingestion and inhalation, increasing the risk of respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer diseases.

Plastic waste along the coastline of An Vinh village , Tinh Khe commune , Quang Ngai province . Photo : Nguyen Ngoc

A survey titled "What Over 3,000 Students Say About the Culture of Disposable Plastic Products," conducted by NPAP and the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VCOM), revealed that 67% of participants still choose disposable plastic products for convenience, while 39% believe alternatives are too expensive. However, 40% of students stated they would be willing to change their habits if given the opportunity.

Reducing single-use plastics: From policy to behavioral change

According to experts of the “Project on Integrating Climate Change Resilience and Environmental Protection for the Development of Green Cities” by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, To minimize single-use plastics, changing consumer behavior is key. But for this behavior to become a lasting habit, it requires the support of macro-level policies .

Experts recommend, The government and businesses should consider implementing stronger measures, such as taxes or fees on single-use plastic products, to encourage the transition to environmentally friendly alternatives.

Decree 08/2022/ND-CP outlines a specific roadmap: from January 1, 2026, Vietnam will no longer produce or import non-biodegradable plastic bags smaller than 50cm x 50cm and with a thickness of less than 50 µm. After December 31, 2030, the country will completely stop the use of single-use plastic products, except for products certified with the Vietnamese eco-label.

Single-use plastic waste is rampant on Be Island - Ly Son Special Economic Zone, Quang Ngai province. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc

To address the issue comprehensively and effectively, the 2020 Environmental Protection Law also stipulates extended producer responsibility (EPR). Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is developing a draft decree regulating the responsibility of manufacturers and importers to recycle products and packaging, and to handle waste, aiming to consolidate regulations, redesign the financial mechanism, increase transparency, and align with international practices. This is an important policy tool to promote the circular economy, compelling businesses to recover, recycle, and process products after use.

Several localities, such as Hanoi, Phu Yen, and Con Dao, have issued plans to ban single-use plastics in tourist areas, supermarkets, and hotels.

Some retail businesses have also begun to change, switching to environmentally friendly plastic products. AEON Vietnam has eliminated non-biodegradable nylon bags, switching to biodegradable bags and materials made from sugarcane pulp and rice flour; implementing "No Plastic Bag Day," green points programs, and bag rental and return services. Several provinces and cities have implemented waste sorting at source models, aiming for a "zero plastic waste" policy in schools and communities.

Practical solutions at the individual level, such as bringing personal water bottles, refusing free plastic bags, and replacing plastic straws with paper or stainless steel ones, are being strongly encouraged. Alongside this, community campaigns like "No Plastic Bag Day," green clubs in schools, and exchanging plastic waste for green plants are being implemented, attracting the participation and support of the public and a large number of young people.

Hanoi students participate in Anti-Plastic Day, aiming to raise awareness about reducing plastic waste in the community. Photo: Nguyen Thao

Experts believe that once awareness is raised, action needs to be concretized through policies, recycling infrastructure, and the active participation of the people. Reducing single-use plastics is not only the responsibility of the government or environmental organizations, but also the daily responsibility of each individual. Every plastic bag refused, every unused plastic straw is a small but meaningful step towards a larger goal: a green, clean, and sustainable Vietnam.

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/viet-nam-trong-vong-vay-nhua-thach-thuc-va-giai-phap-xanh-157482.html