Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has written a letter urging joint action for a healthy, safe and sustainable living environment as well as dealing with pollution caused by plastic waste. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has written a letter urging joint action for a healthy, safe and sustainable living environment as well as dealing with pollution caused by plastic waste. 

In the letter, he said the amount of plastic waste produced each year is enough to cover the surface of the earth four times over. As many as 13 million tonnes of plastic waste discharged into oceans are harming ecological systems, human health and the sustainability of each nation. 

Many countries have taken specific actions to reduce and ban the use of environmentally-unfriendly plastic products while increasing the recycling of plastic. 

At international forums, Việt Nam proposed initiatives, joined global and regional cooperation mechanisms for the effort. 

As plastic waste is increasing in Việt Nam, the Government is taking drastic measures to effectively control it, especially disposable plastic products and imperishable nylon bags, towards a circular and green growth economy, he said.

According to him, dealing with plastic waste pollution is an urgent task requiring regular involvement of departments, agencies and the entire society. 

He suggested changing plastic use habits; reducing, classifying, collecting, reusing and recycling plastic waste; using more eco-friendly products and promptly honouring good examples and models. 

Each official and Party member should set good examples in the effort while ministries, agencies and localities should continue refining mechanisms and laws to synchronously and effectively address the issue, he said. — VNS