First “Deposit–Return” model launched in Hue

On September 14, the project “Hue - Plastic Smart City in Central Viet Nam” (funded by WWF-Norway through WWF-Viet Nam and received by Hue City People’s Committee) cooperated with the University of Sciences (Hue University) to launch the pilot “Deposit - Return System” (DRS).

The DRS is a modern management tool considered an effective way to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under the system, when buying bottled or canned beverages, consumers pay a small deposit. When returning the used bottles/cans to collection points, they receive their deposit back.

The model has been successfully applied in more than 40 countries worldwide in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa. This is the first time a city in Southeast Asia, specifically Hue, has been selected to pilot this model.

The main goal of piloting the DRS in Hue is to raise awareness and change community behavior, particularly among young people, regarding waste separation at source, proper collection, responsible consumption, and increasing recycling rates.

The trial of the DRS for beverage packaging, especially plastic bottles, will help gather lessons, difficulties, and advantages as a basis for scaling up, thereby reducing plastic waste leakage into the environment.

The first DRS machine has been installed at Building E of the University of Sciences by Botol company. A second machine will be operated at Nera Garden Apartment (Phu My An Urban Area) in the near future.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy, Director of WWF-Viet Nam’s Plastic Reduction Program, the DRS is a pioneering step for Hue, reinforcing its commitment to becoming a plastic-smart city. It opens up many new opportunities but also comes with challenges. The success of the model requires joint efforts and cooperation of all stakeholders towards a green, sustainable, plastic pollution-free future for Hue.

Van Dinh