On June 16, the Norwegian Embassy in Ha Noi has published the Scoping Study for a Nationwide Deposit Return System (DRS) in Vietnam.
The event was part of the “Plastic Talk 2025” dialogue series, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, UNDP, and the Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP Vietnam) in response to World Environment Day.
The report is the result of technical cooperation between Vietnam and Norway. According to the study, a DRS is entirely feasible in Vietnam if properly adapted to local conditions — from the scale of the beverage market and collection infrastructure to consumer behavior. The system not only helps increase the recovery and recycling rate of plastic packaging but also supports the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, reduces the burden on the state budget, and promotes transparency in the recycling industry.
Plublishing the Scoping Study for a Nationwide Deposit Return System (DRS) in Vietnam. Photo: VNA.If effectively implemented, a DRS could divert 77,000 tons of packaging waste from landfills each year, cut 265,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions, and create over 16,000 new jobs. This would make a tangible contribution to Vietnam’s goals of reducing ocean plastic pollution and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken affirmed that Norway is ready to support Vietnam in developing and operating an appropriate and efficient DRS. “Vietnam can benefit from proven models that promote recycling, create green jobs, and reduce plastic waste. This is a practical step toward a sustainable future,” she emphasized.