For over a year now, every Saturday morning, HoiAn EcoHub - Community Zero Waste Center has regularly organized a " Community Market for Waste Reduction" model in Hoi An ward.
This is a place where consumers can directly meet small-scale producers and representatives of local sustainability initiatives. Through this model, the aim is to reduce plastic bag use, bridge the supply-demand gap, support livelihoods, and create a space for interaction and inspiration about sustainable living.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong (35 years old, residing in Hoi An Tay ward) shared that, recognizing the meaningfulness of the model, she and her group of friends regularly bring clean waste materials to participate.
Here, she was guided by HoiAn EcoHub staff on how to sort waste in exchange for useful recycled products made from organic waste, such as cleaning products, and how to choose and buy clean agricultural products. This model helped her form the habit of sorting waste at the source and build an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
The "Community Market for Waste Reduction" model takes place from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, with an average of 10 stalls selling everything from home garden produce to healthy food and stations for refilling biological products.
Under this model, shoppers who bring 1kg of low-value waste can exchange it for 0.2kg of organic fertilizer, 100ml of biodegradable dishwashing liquid, or 2 medicinal herbs; with 1kg of high-value waste, they can exchange it for 0.5kg of organic fertilizer or 200ml of cleaning solution. In addition, the model encourages the community to reduce the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic items.
Ms. Vu My Hanh, founder and CEO of HoiAn EcoHub, stated that the unit operates based on three main strategies: managing organic waste at the source to reduce the burden on landfills; developing "filling" stations to limit single-use packaging; and educating people about zero-waste systems.
Since 2019, the unit has served as the technical focal point supporting stakeholders in Hoi An's tourism and service industry in transitioning to a "zero-waste tourism" model, contributing to preserving the "Hoi An - Green Destination" brand. Currently, the center processes 400-500 kg of tourism waste daily, including soap, fabric scraps, coffee grounds, leftover cooking oil, and plastic.
In particular, the "refill to reduce single-use packaging" station strategy has had a positive impact on the community. To date, HoiAn EcoHub has established two stores in Hanoi and Hoi An, along with several other smaller stations. On average, these stores help reuse 2,000-2,500 plastic bottles each month, significantly contributing to the reduction of single-use packaging.
In line with the message of promoting a green lifestyle, the No Waste to Go store (in Ngu Hanh Son ward) also operates on a "refill" model. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable glass bottles, jars, or containers to refill their favorite products instead of using new packaging.
Ms. Ho Hoang Oanh, the founder of the store, shared that in addition to the "refilling" method, the company always tries to choose suppliers with policies for collecting old cans, bottles, and jars for reuse. This is how the store spreads the green living mindset not only to consumers but also to manufacturers.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/xay-dung-cong-dong-song-xanh-3340067.html
