Leading retailers join forces to reduce plastic bag usage

On July 3, a launch ceremony for the 2024 No Plastic Bag Campaign themed "Less Plastic Bags, More Life" was held.

Participating retailers include Lotte Mart Vietnam, AEON Vietnam, TH true mart, Big C Thang Long, MM Mega Market Vietnam centres in Hanoi, Co.op Mart system in Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, the GO! supermarket system, and Hoa Tho Shopping Centre in Danang.

According to a survey by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) in March 2021, Vietnam supermarkets used approximately 38 million disposable plastic bags per year. 46 out of 48 supermarkets surveyed were providing free plastic bags to customers.

Nguyen Trung Thang, deputy director of ISPONRE, delivered the opening speech at the launch ceremony

Nguyen Trung Thang, deputy director of ISPONRE said, “Although convenient, single-use plastic products are causing significant harm to the environment, negatively impacting the global economy and society.”

Representing the participating businesses, Chalermchai Pornsiripiyakool, vice president of international relations and social responsibility of Central Retail Vietnam said, “Central Retail is always ready to collaborate with partners and stakeholders who share the same goals and efforts to raise awareness about reducing plastic bag usage and positively change shopping behaviour.”

Chalermchai Pornsiripiyakool, vice president of international relations and social responsibility of Central Retail Vietnam shared the firm's commitment on reducing plastic bag use

Central Retail Vietnam has implemented initiatives to promote nationwide plastic reduction, including encouraging the use of personal or eco-friendly bags and offering eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

TH Group has applied modern technology to reduce plastic in packaging and labelling systems, while also introduced many programmes encouraging customers to use canvas bags to limit plastic waste.

Lotte Mart implemented the No Plastic Bag Campaign across its entire 16 supermarkets nationwide, contributing to the goal of reducing plastic waste pollution.

Nguyen Trang Nguyen, senior communications officer of the plastic reduction programme at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Vietnam said, “By cutting down on the use of plastic bags, we can work towards sustainable consumption and combat the plastic pollution crisis. The involvement of consumers and the collaboration of businesses are primary factors driving this process.”

This year’s campaign featured awareness-raising activities, including plastic waste mini-games and an online "Less plastic bags, more life" contest.

Furthermore, a seminar on reducing single-use plastics in Vietnam is scheduled for late July in Hanoi.

The No Plastic Bag Campaign is an initiative to drive business sustainable development, proposed by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment and the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.

In 2024, the event will be coordinated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, World Wildlife Fund for Nature Vietnam, and International Union for Conservation of Nature through Vietnam Business for Environment Alliance.

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