Cultural activities raise awareness of plastic battle

Cultural activities raise awareness of plastic battle, illustration photo

The events are part of the Rethinking Plastics Project, co-founded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and implemented by German organisation GIZ and Expertise France.

Starting the spring season is a photo and video clip exhibition focusing on plastic waste reduction. Co-organised by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), and the Alliance of Retailers in the Goethe Institute from February 15 to March 15, the exhibition displays the latest photos of two Vietnamese photographers, Truong Dai Duong and Nguyen Viet Hung, under the theme of “Let’s reduce single-use plastic waste”.

Throughout the vibrant images and video clips, audience will have the chance to make a unique voyage along rivers flooded with plastic waste and then explore the documentary film “Can we change?” to find out new ways to cure the problem.

Another key event this month is an EU knowledge-sharing workshop on promoting alternatives to single-use plastics for sustainable production and consumption in Vietnam. The event is being organised by the aforementioned groups as well as the Plastic Alliance.

Held on February 25, the workshop will be an opportunity for audiences to explore the latest policies related to reducing single-use plastic bags and other products in Vietnam. They can hear what local and international experts say about their analysis and experiences on how to reduce the use of such items and promote alternatives in collaboration with EU experience, from policy to practice.

In addition, organisers also have plans to hold training courses on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging in Danang on February 21-22, and Ho Chi Minh City on February 24-25.

After that, there will be an online webinar to present the results achieved by the integration of the informal sector into the implementation of the EPR scheme in Vietnam.

Furthermore, there will be a training course on the IT system in the framework of a ship waste management pilot project at Cat Lai port of Phu Yen province. The course is set to be held on February 24 or 25.

Last but not least is a startup competition at Nguyen Sieu school, which will take place on February 26.

With such a series of creative and attractive activities, the target of Rethinking Plastics is to influence the reduction of marine litter and the proliferation of plastics through cooperation with key stakeholders in enhancing policy dialogues, managing plastic waste, and promoting sustainable and responsible consumption and production practices.

The project is being implemented across China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam with a total budget of $11.9 million.