Closing policy gaps for plastics and plastic waste

This is the ninth activity within the Female journalist with collective impact for reducing plastic pollution and plastic waste project that was initiated by the VSF – the only representative of Vietnam to receive funding from the Earth Journalism Network in 2022.

Director of VSF Tran Thi Nhu Trang said, “The dialogue is aimed to share information on the current situation of plastic pollution and plastic waste in Vietnam and its impact on human health. It also hopes to strengthen cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders in a bid to mitigate the issue. In addition, it plans to support with policy recommendations and their communication in order to reduce and recycle the nation's plastic waste.”

At the dialogue session, Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga, director of the Centre for Health, Environmental Research, and Development, presented an overview of plastic pollution, plastic waste, and its impact on the environment and public health.

Nga emphasised the need to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of using plastic bags and other related items. He encourages people to reduce their usage of single-use plastics and practise waste classification at source.

He also recommended the strong involvement of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), especially on the issue of increasing taxes and licensing, strictly controlling the production of plastic products, and saying no to the import of waste from abroad for recycling.

With the sharing of Vietnam's current policy on plastic waste management, Kim Thuy Ngoc, head of the International Cooperation Planning Department at the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), under MoNRE, introduced legal frameworks that have been published, and recommended specific guidelines to allow stakeholders to access the incentives under the Law on Environmental Protection.

In addition, Ngoc also said that it is necessary to have more specific guidance in the regulations related to the responsibility of the recycler and manufacturer to apply into practice.

Members of the Female journalist with collective impact for reducing plastic pollution and plastic waste network also spoke about stories from investigative trips related to environmental issues and the challenges they faced, especially from a female perspective.

The main point of the drive is a policy dialogue session with the theme Policy orientations and policy communications to reduce and recycle plastic waste. Representatives of state agencies, media agencies, businesses, social organisations, and delegates discussed the hurdles in the process of law enforcement, the policy gaps, and plastic recycling generally from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

The delegates have jointly made policy recommendations and highlighted communication strategies, contributing to achieving the common goal of reducing plastic waste and promoting green lifestyles and sustainable consumption.

At the event, a small exhibition space was organised to display green products such as a model of a school that is made from brick that is recycled from plastic waste by Intraco, cloth bags, straws, spoons, and plastic bags made from biological materials. It also included TH Group's sustainable development report and another on plastic waste by the National Plastic Action Partnership Vietnam, along with jewellery recycled from fishing nets and food covers from the Plastics and Health Action Partnership (PHA) network.

Sustainable products stimulating business Vietnam’s scheme to combat pollution and achieve sustainable development by reusing and recycling defunct products is involving the participation of many foreign businesses via various initiatives.

Long-term action plans to service a circular economy Vietnam’s pursuit of a circular economy is offering numerous opportunities for businesses. However, in order for this new model to flourish, the government needs to create momentum.