On June 25 in Hanoi, 10 outstanding initiatives were recognized at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Plastics Innovation Programme—a significant step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to build a circular economy and pursue sustainable development.
The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, with support from the 2030 Sustainable Development Fund under the UN Peace and Development Fund (UNPDF) and the Coca-Cola Foundation. It is part of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) framework.
Launched in February 2025, the program attracted 116 proposal submissions nationwide. Nearly 50% came from small and medium-sized enterprises, and over 40% from academic, research, and educational institutions. Notably, 42% of the team leaders were young people, and 91% of the teams included women - reflecting a strong and widespread spirit of innovation within the community.
Delegates visit the exhibition booths of the competing teams in the 2025 Plastics Innovation Programme. Photo: Khuong TrungFollowing rigorous rounds of selection and evaluation, the 25 most promising teams advanced to the incubation phase, which lasted from May to the end of June. During this period, the teams received intensive training on technical solutions, business models, communications, and fundraising. At the closing ceremony, 10 teams with the most feasible and innovative solutions were awarded grants: six teams received up to USD 30,000 per project, while four teams received up to USD 10,000.
The honored initiatives demonstrated a wide range of approaches to tackling plastic pollution—from developing biodegradable alternatives and waste treatment technologies to circular economy models, innovative waste management platforms, and policies promoting green consumer behavior. After the ceremony, the 12 winning teams will enter a nine-month acceleration phase to test, refine, and scale up their models, culminating in a showcase of results in 2026.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh speaks at the event. Photo: Khuong Trung.Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh praised the awarded initiatives and emphasized the program’s role as a vital catalyst for implementing national environmental and circular economy policies.
Vietnam has issued several policies to address plastic pollution and promote a circular economy, including the 2020 Environmental Protection Law, the National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Waste, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, and Prime Ministerial Decisions 1746/QD-TTg and 222/QD-TTg. Most recently, Decision 923/QD-TTg (2025) was issued to promote innovation and digital transformation.
However, Mr. Thanh also pointed out ongoing challenges, such as the lack of standardized waste sorting infrastructure, widespread single-use plastic consumption habits, high technology costs, and uneven public awareness.
Therefore, the Plastics Innovation Programme is not merely a competition but a platform for long-term change. The awarded initiatives are expected to be applied in real-life settings, inspire youth action, and help transform the plastic pollution crisis into an opportunity for green and knowledge-based economic development in Vietnam.