Promoting environmental education and reducing plastics in schools in Vietnam

Implementing the “Plastic Smart Schools” model in Thua Thien – Hue, as part of the “Hue – Plastic Smart Cities in Central Vietnam” project, exemplifies how international cooperation can drive behavioral change and foster sustainable lifestyles, starting with the younger generation.

Funded by the Norwegian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and implemented through WWF-Vietnam, the project has created a ripple effect of positive impacts within schools and throughout surrounding communities.

Launched in 2022, the model has engaged over 54,000 students across 180 schools in a wide range of hands-on activities to reduce plastic waste - from sorting, collecting, and reusing to raising awareness through integrated educational lessons. At 83 selected pilot schools, “Green Houses” were installed as visual learning tools for collecting recyclables, helping gather nearly 30 tons of waste, including more than 5.5 tons of plastic.

 

According to Ms. Hoang Ngoc Tuong Van, Project Director, the most significant achievement has been the shift in habits within students’ households, where children have inspired their parents to act for the environment. What started as an educational initiative has gradually evolved into a social action network to reduce plastic consumption and advance sustainable urban development.

The long-term funding and technical support provided by an international organization like WWF-Norway demonstrate the value of cross-border initiatives in addressing global environmental challenges. As Vietnam moves forward with strong commitments to plastic reduction, emissions mitigation, and green transition, models like “Plastic Smart Schools” are vital catalysts for embedding sustainability-from education to policymaking.

K.Linh