Vung Tau joins hands to reduce plastic waste, promote greener lifestyles

Themed “Joining hands to reduce plastic waste - For a green, clean and beautiful Vung Tau,” the program brought together representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the HCMC Environmental Protection Fund, as well as agencies, organizations, schools, businesses, socio-political organizations, representatives from 33 residential quarters and a large number of local residents.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vo Van Thanh Sang, Vice Chairman of the Vung Tau Ward People’s Committee, said changes in daily habits could have a direct impact on the urban and marine environment.

“Using one fewer plastic bag means reducing the amount of waste generated. Properly sorting a plastic bottle creates an opportunity for it to be reused or recycled. Not littering in the sea, canals or public places is also a way for each person to help protect their own living environment”, Mr. Sang said.

The Vung Tau Ward People’s Committee leader called on officials, youth union members, association members, students, businesses and residents to start with practical actions such as reducing the use of single-use plastic products, increasing reuse and recycling, and sorting household waste at source. The community was also encouraged to help curb littering and promote environmentally friendly habits.

One of the notable activities at the event was the pilot launch of a “Community Bag Station” model at two markets in Vung Tau Ward, funded by the HCMC Environmental Protection Fund.

The model collects paper bags, cloth bags, clean reusable plastic bags and biodegradable bags, which are then made available to people who need them. This way, bags that still have practical value can be reused instead of becoming waste after a single use.

After receiving the bags, the market management boards under the Public Service Supply Center will operate the model at the two traditional markets while raising awareness and encouraging vendors and residents to participate.

According to the organizers, establishing bag-sharing points at markets not only helps reduce single-use plastic bags but also gives people a practical way to incorporate reuse into daily life.

On the occasion, the HCMC Environmental Protection Fund also introduced its support programs, policies and lending schemes to help businesses, organizations and individuals access financial resources for environmental protection activities.

The program also featured a mini game, “Green Challenge - Clean Vung Tau,” with questions on plastic waste, waste sorting, marine protection and environmental sanitation. The activity aimed to deliver environmental knowledge through direct interaction with participants.

Immediately after the program, participants joined a cleanup campaign, collecting waste along Vung Tau Beach and in public areas and coastal sites. Plastic waste, plastic bags and other types of waste were collected, with recyclable materials sorted separately.

Through these activities, Vung Tau Ward aims to encourage behavioral changes in the community, from reducing the use of single-use plastic products to promoting reuse, recycling and source separation of household solid waste. These efforts also help ease pressure on the marine environment and urban spaces.