Overcoming technological barriers to promote the collection and recycling industry in Vietnam

Not only does recycling help reduce pressure on the environment, it also opens up new directions for green industries, saves costs and creates added value from waste.

Ho Chi Minh City residents learn about DUYTAN Recycling's recycled plastics at the Green Vietnam Festival 2024, organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper in collaboration with PRO Vietnam - Photo: QUANG DINH

Besides opportunities, the recycling industry in Vietnam still faces many challenges in the journey of standardization and modernization.

Proactively promote cooperation to increase opportunities

Duy Tan Plastic Recycling Company (DUYTAN Recycling - DTR) - one of the pioneers in this field - has pointed out a series of significant barriers and implemented practical solutions to overcome them.

According to the company representative, the biggest challenge today is the investment cost for modern technology, especially PET plastic, metal and paper processing lines.

Another barrier is the gap between research and application. Technology research centers in Vietnam are not closely connected with businesses, making commercialization and practical implementation difficult.

In particular, most of the current recycling businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises, which have difficulty accessing large capital sources or investment incentives.

Faced with these obstacles, the Company has proactively cooperated strategically with international partners to access advanced technology and efficient operating models, optimizing internal processes to reduce costs and improve recycling efficiency.

In addition, DUYTAN Recycling is also an active member of the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam). The company has made efforts to connect with the business and consumer communities, accompanying the Alliance in communication and education activities to raise awareness about recycling and sustainable consumption.

According to DUYTAN Recycling, recycling technology in Vietnam is gradually meeting the demand for recycled materials of manufacturing enterprises.

In particular, current PET plastic processing technology can create recycled rPET plastic granules that meet the standards for producing packaging that comes into direct contact with food, including drinking water.

This is an important step forward to help domestic enterprises meet the requirements for sustainable packaging from domestic and international markets.

In addition, labeling products as "green" will motivate consumers to choose, thereby encouraging businesses to continue investing in sustainable production models, towards a truly circular economy .

Alta Plastic's products are made from post-consumer packaging, collected by the company itself, processed into recycled materials and manufactured using modern 3D printing technology - Photo: TL

Reaching consumers to change behavior

Meanwhile, one of the pioneering enterprises in applying technology to plastic bottle collection and recycling activities in Vietnam, BOTOL - a member of PRO Vietnam, is also facing many challenges in both technology and consumer behavior.

According to the company representative, the collection system in Vietnam is currently fragmented, lacking in synchronization, high technology investment costs, undeveloped reverse logistics infrastructure, while the quality of input materials is inconsistent.

In particular, changing people's habits - which are accustomed to traditional collection methods - is becoming a significant barrier in the process of modernizing the recycling chain.

In that context, instead of waiting for a comprehensive change from the system, BOTOL chose a proactive approach by building a technology collection model, directly approaching consumers.

The automatic collection system (RVM - Reverse Vending Machine) deployed by BOTOL has been placed in many public places such as universities, convenience stores, apartments, shopping malls... to collect plastic bottles and aluminum cans right after users have finished using them - when the products are still clean, intact and easy to handle.

Ms. Doan Tran Hoang My uses the Botol machine located at Annam Gourmet store to recycle plastic bottles - Photo: QUANG DINH

BOTOL also developed a mobile application that allows users to track recycling activities, accumulate points and redeem gifts immediately after each collection.

Attaching practical benefits such as cashback and vouchers to sorting behavior not only improves collection efficiency, but also contributes to changing consumer habits in a sustainable direction.

Inappropriate products - such as bottles that are still full of water or contain trash - will be rejected by the machine, thereby shaping the correct sorting habits for users.

At the same time, the machine also has the function of crushing bottles/cans on the spot, helping to reduce storage volume, save transportation costs and facilitate the next recycling process.

According to BOTOL representative, it is necessary to have a complete legal corridor and specific technical standards, and at the same time, the proposal to promote the "State - School - Enterprise" cooperation model as discussed at the 2025 Annual Conference of PRO Vietnam will also create more favorable conditions for the development of science and technology in the field of collection and recycling.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan, Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development, Ho Chi Minh City National University, there are still many types of waste that need to be recycled, of which the amount of waste from batteries and solar panels is forecast to increase rapidly.

"If these types are not handled properly, they will cause serious pollution, especially batteries. Therefore, recycling is a very important solution, especially in Ho Chi Minh City," he said.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Quan, the city currently has more space like Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Duong, so it can plan recycling centers for many types, not only plastic but also electronic waste, leftover food... Some types cannot be recycled but can be reused if there is a suitable model.

"The current challenge is that Vietnam is still behind and has not invested much in technology research, only stopping at the small experimental level, without systematic research to develop production scale. Some businesses mainly import technology from abroad. When it comes to improvement and upgrading, it will be very difficult without a domestic foundation.

Besides, there is still a lack of programs to support businesses in developing recycling technology, making it difficult for businesses to pay attention and invest in this field. At the same time, there are not many preferential loan sources and specific financial support policies for recycling businesses," Mr. Quan added.

Alliance for a Green - Clean - Beautiful Vietnam

PRO Vietnam was established in 2019 with 9 pioneering enterprises - representing many fields in the FMCG, distribution and recycling industries. To date, the number of member enterprises has expanded to 30 enterprises, including both domestic and international enterprises.

The Annual Conference is a regular activity organized by PRO Vietnam to evaluate performance, share strategic vision and promote cooperation in the circular economy ecosystem.

At this year’s conference, a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation was signed between PRO Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City National University. This is not only a commitment to academic cooperation but also a long-term strategic foundation for building applied research programs, specialized training and technology transfer to serve the effective implementation of EPR policies and the development of a packaging circular economy model in Vietnam in a practical, sustainable and scientific evidence-based manner.

Following the success of season 1, Green Vietnam 2025 is co-organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, PRO Vietnam and other organizations, with the theme "Reduce - Recycle - Reuse". The program includes a variety of activities, from seminars, talks, talk shows, to green business tours, the Green Living Challenge, running races, Green Vietnam Festival... contributing to promoting awareness and joint action for a greener Vietnam.

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Nha Linh

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vuot-rao-can-cong-nghe-de-thuc-day-nganh-thu-gom-tai-che-tai-viet-nam-2025080718542446.htm