Việt Nam News

City businesses told to prepare for extended responsibilities on environment

August 16, 2022 - 16:29

Manufacturers and importers in HCM City need to be ready to take on extended producer responsibilities for their products’ environmental impacts, including recycling and treating toxic wastes, a top Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment official has said.

A conference being held in HCM City on August 15 to apprise businesses about their extended producer responsibilities on environmental impacts. – VNA Photo Hồng Giang

HCM CITY – Manufacturers and importers in HCM City need to be ready to take on extended producer responsibilities for their products’ environmental impacts, including recycling and treating toxic wastes, a top Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment official has said.

Speaking at a conference on Monday, Phan Tuấn Hùng, head of the ministry’s legal affairs department, said extended producer responsibility (EPR) means that businesses had to be responsible for the environmental impacts during the entire life cycles of their products.

The 2020 Law on Environmental Protection devolves two types of environmental responsibilities on businesses and importers: for recycling and treatment.

The first covers recyclable products and packaging such as electronics, vehicles and packaging of foods, makeup products and fertilisers, and their recycling is mandatory from 2024.

Producers can also choose to pay the Việt Nam Environmental Protection Fund to have their products recycled.

The Government will announce the fees for recycling various items next year.

The other responsibility involves treating wastes from products and packaging that contain toxic elements or are difficult to be gathered and recycled such as single-use batteries, hygiene products, cigarettes, and products with plastics.

Starting this year businesses needed to pay the Việt Nam Environmental Protection Fund to finance waste gathering and treatment activities.

Failure to pay entails fines of up to VNĐ2 billion (US$85,162)

Hùng said: “Contributions to the Việt Nam Environmental Protection Fund are managed in a such way as to ensure transparency. Usage of the fund for recycling and waste treatment activity is published every year, and businesses can take part in decision making and monitoring how the fund is used.”

Certain businesses such as exporters and those importing products for research would be exempt from the fees, he said.

"Việt Nam is capable of maintaining a circular economy," he said.

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, EuroCham Việt Nam, and AmCham Việt Nam.

Việt Nam is striving to achieve net-zero emission by 2050. – VNS

Việt Nam, Finland share experiences in groundwater management

Environment

Climate change department offers guide for helping protect ozone layer

Environment

3.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Kon Tum

Environment

PM urges proactive action against drought and salinity intrusion

Environment

Green turtles rescued and released back to the sea

Environment

Cold weather forecast in the north

More on this story

Environment

Coca Cola joins locals in Đà Nẵng in “For a Việt Nam without Waste” programme

The event, joined by representatives from agencies and the local community, is one of the activities organised by Coca-Cola Vietnam and local authorities in Đà Nẵng and HCM City under the "World Without a Waste" vision.

Environment

Việt Nam strives to conserve endangered elephant species

Since 2012, August 12 is recognised as World Elephant Day. World Elephant Day has become an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness about elephant protection and seek solutions to reduce conflicts between elephants and humans; as well as efforts to preserve this species in the wild.

Environment

Bryde whales spotted off south-central Vietnamese coast

Locals and photographers from across the country were thrilled by the appearance of Bryde whales in Đề Gi sea, Phú Cát District, Bình Định Province in recent days.

Environment

Heavy rain causes flooding, traffic disruptions in Hà Nội, northern localities

Prolonged downpours have flooded many areas and caused traffic chaos on many streets.

Environment

Mekong Delta floods to be below normal this year: authorities

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta is expected to have less flooding than normal this year, according to the Directorate of Water Resources.

Environment

Việt Nam takes strong measures to achieve net-zero carbon emissions

Reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is an inevitable development goal, which should be achieved through a strong energy transition and low-emission economic development

Environment

Hà Nội’s craft villages must embrace greener methods

The development of the villages also puts pressure on the city’s environment.

Environment

Đắk Lắk Province authorities look for ways to protect the region's elephant number

Đắk Lắk Province is seeking to protect elephants in the province and Central Highland region amid overhunting and conflicts between the animals and people.

Environment

Environment ministry applauded for achievements on 20th anniversary

Speaking at the ceremony to mark MoNRE's 20th anniversary, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said that environmental resources are an indispensable factor for human survival and development, as well as the sustainable development of the country.