Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Phu Tho (VNA) – Many agencies,units and businesses across the northern province of Phu Tho have been takingspecific actions in response to the “no plastic waste” campaign.
Instead of using nylon bags to pack agriculturalproducts as previously, farmers at the Thu Xa safe vegetable cooperative in LamThao district are now using banana leaves, which are easily available in ruralareas, to wrap many kinds of vegetables and tubers.
Director of the cooperative Nguyen Van Nghiasaid using banana leaves will increase the cost and time to wrap products, butit brings long-term benefits for the living environment.
Actively responding to the movement, units underthe provincial People’s Committee Office have taken the lead in ending the useof disposable plastic products at meetings, conferences, seminars and otheractivities. Instead, environmentally-friendly products are used.
Youth unions at all levels have also implementeda number of practical activities such as collecting, sorting and treatingplastic waste, and cleaning the environment at historical relic sites,cemeteries, and monuments of fallen soldiers. They also conduct educationalactivities to raise public awareness, especially among youngsters, about theharmful effects of plastic waste and the importance of environmental protection,thus engaging the public in limiting the use of nylon bags and single-useplastic products.
As a result, in over a month, the local youthunions disseminated information about the harmful impacts of plastic waste to over2,000 people; collected more than 28.5 tonnes of waste; and cleaned up over10km of canals and 105km of rural roads.
Youth unions also held activities to make toysand decorations at schools from plastic waste.
The provincial education and training sector hasdirected its departments and schools to encourage teachers and students toactively participate in the fight against plastic waste.
Education facilities take practical actions tolimit the use of nylon bags and single-use plastic products. Plastic bottleddrinks and cups will not be used in meetings, conferences and seminars.
To spread the movement, the Standing Committeeof the provincial Party Committee has just issued Directive No.20-CT/TU onfurther strengthening the leadership and direction of the implementation of themovement.
The document requires all agencies, units andlocalities across the province to implement the commitment of preventing plasticwaste, towards ending completely the use of disposable plastic material.
Departments and agencies must immediately reducethe use of single-use plastic products like bottled water, straws anddisposable cups during their activities, while selecting environmentally-friendlyproducts. Party committees and Party members are required to lead the movement.
The province will support the development ofenvironmentally-friendly products and attract investment in recycling single-useplastics and persistent nylon bags using advanced technologies.
Vietnam is one of the five countries dischargingthe most plastic waste into the ocean, according to internationalorganisations.
Although there are no official statistics onthe amount and varieties of plastic in the Vietnamese sea and islands, plasticwaste is easy to see in Vietnamese waters, with the country’s 112 estuaries themain gateways of plastic to the ocean.
The Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment (MONRE) estimated that about 80 tonnes of plastic waste and bagsare thrown away every day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City combined.
On the positive side, Vietnam has taken efforts to manage imported plasticscrap and monitor plastic production and consumption.
In 2018, Vietnam proposed Partnerships inEnvironmental Management for the Seas of East Asia and launchedinitiatives to foster global co-operation in plastic waste reduction.
The MONRE aims to reduce 65 percent ofnon-biodegradable plastic bags used at supermarkets and shopping malls by 2020compare to 2010. By 2026, Vietnam targets zero non-biodegradable plastic bags./.
VNA