Green consumption for environmental sustainability

Many individuals and households are shifting their consumption habits towards green consumption by choosing environmentally friendly products and developing self-sufficiency gardens to protect their health and contribute to sustainable environmental preservation.

"Exchanging trash for plants” program organized by the Women's Union of Cam Thanh Nam Commune, Cam Ranh City and the Farmers' Association of the commune.

Changing habit

For the past five years, Ho Thu Loi's family (Group 1 Phuoc An Hoa, Phuoc Hai Ward, Nha Trang City) has been utilizing the space on the rooftop of their 4-storey house to grow their own vegetables, ensuring they always have clean, fresh produce to use. In addition to hydroponics, her family also uses mica sheets to make long and wide beds for more lines of vegetables, including water spinach, pennywort, mustard greens, lettuce, jute, Malabar spinach, sweet potato leaves and many kinds of herbs, bitter melon, lemons, etc.

After each harvest, she composts the unused parts and uses them to fertilize the soil. In addition, her family also buys fish to make fish sauce. “Growing vegetables not only provides us a safe source of food for the whole family but also a sense of peace and contentment when we see the fruits of our labor.”

Mai Thi Hong Le, Phuoc Thanh 1 Residential Group, Phuoc Long Ward, Nha Trang has changed her shopping habits for the past 2 years by bringing her shopping basket instead of using the vendors' plastic bags. She also shared information with her neighbors and women's association members about the harmful effects of plastic bags, encouraging them to adopt more environmentally friendly alternatives.

The green consumption trend is gradually becoming more and more popular in the community, contributing to protecting health and the living environment. In addition, people also prioritize the use of environmentally friendly products, recycled packaging, organic foods, electrical appliances running on solar energy, etc. Others tend to adopt simple living, reduce the desire to shop impulsively, choose wooden toys instead of plastic ones for children, recycle used products, etc.

A resident in Phuoc Long Ward brings her shopping basket to limit the use of plastic bags.

Joint efforts in developing green consumption

Green consumption ascribes to consumers' responsibility or co-responsibility for addressing environmental problems through the adoption of environmentally friendly behaviors. While it brings many benefits, building a habit is not easy at all.

According to Huynh Nguyen Ha, Director of Co.opmart Nha Trang Supermarket, the supermarket has organized environmental campaigns such as using bamboo strips and banana leaves to cover vegetables. Currently, the supermarket is using some types of biodegradable bags and paper bags to contribute to environmental protection, encouraging people to limit the use of plastic products. In fact, most consumers still prefer low-cost products. Organic products and environmentally friendly products are often more expensive than traditional plastics

In recent years, in Nha Trang City, some clean food, organic agricultural products and clean fruit stores have been established. Compared to traditional markets, products in these stores are much more expensive but are still chosen by many consumers because of their clear origins. Some cafes, restaurants, hotels and offices use paper and stainless steel straws instead of plastic straws, and use glass and stainless steel bottles instead of plastics.

Some organizations and individuals have organized workshops to promote the use of recycled products; exchange of plastic waste and used batteries for gifts... to promote green consumption. Every small effort is appreciated. Promoting green consumption requires joint efforts of consumers, businesses, and support from the State, contributing to building a better quality living environment.

H.N-H.T

Translated by N.T