HCMC—A project on plastic waste management in Cần Giờ based on the circular economy model was launched on Friday by the People’s Committee of Cần Giờ District and Centre for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub).

The objective of the project, sponsored by Coca-Cola Foundation, is to facilitate collaboration between consumers, waste pickers, recyclers, and local authorities to pilot the new and innovative approach of Circular Economy and provide feedback for National Policy adaptation.

Representatives from Cần Giờ District and GreenHub at a launching ceremony of the project on" Plastic waste management in Cần Giờ based on circular economy model" held in Cần Giờ on Friday. Photo Coca-Cola Foundation.

Expected results include evaluation of the situation of local plastic waste management, plastic leakage into the ocean, and the participation of technology enterprises; enhancing capacity in managing and sorting, collecting, and recycling plastic waste of stakeholders, especially residents, junk shops, and enterprises that work on solutions for operating a circular economy model for plastic waste; and extensive communications to raise awareness and change behaviors regarding collecting, delivering, recycling plastic waste effectively and sustainably for stakeholders.

Plastic pollution has increased in recent years around the district due to a large amount of waste from the sea into the Lòng Tàu and Soài Rạp river systems and the increase of domestic waste derived from urbanization. The leakage of plastic waste is putting pressure on Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve - the first world biosphere reserve in Việt Nam recognized by UNESCO in 2000 - threatening "green leaves" security to protect the southern key city.

The project will be implemented from November 2022 to December 2023 with 3 main components: Local plastic waste assessment; circular economy solutions design and capacity building for stakeholders to implement the model; plastic public outreach and raising awareness, behavioral change promotion and policy advocacy.

Saadia Madsbjerg, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation shared: “We are proud to support this important project – trialling circularity for plastic waste management in Cần Giờ District of HCM City. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate together with partners including the People’s Committee of Cần Giờ District, Duy Tân Recycling, and GreenHub to help reduce the impact of plastic pollution in coastal regions of Việt Nam.”

Trần Nhựt Hiện, manager of Supply Chain of Duy Tân Plastics Recycling Co., Ltd (DTR) said: “As an enterprise that collects, conducts treatment, and recycles plastic waste, the DTR is very honoured to partner with other organisations in this project. With the mission of "Contributing to reducing environmental pollution from plastic waste in the country", we want to raise awareness of waste sorting at source, improve income for waste collectors, reduce plastic waste in Cần Giờ District, and effectively implement the circular economy model.”

Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang, co-founder and deputy director of GreenHub said: “As the unit implementing the project, I am very honoured and grateful. Thanks to the local government for accepting the project and the willingness to join forces from the businesses involved. This will be a pilot model of a new and innovative approach of the circular economy model in plastic waste management in Cần Giờ, and we hope to be able to spread this model to other localities in the future.”VNS