Efforts for plastic-free environment

Responding to the “No single-use plastic" July initiative, departments, agencies, residents and businesses in Khanh Hoa Province have been implementing several meaningful and practical activities to build a plastic-free environment and promote green, sustainable development.

CamlamOnline store (Cam Lam Commune) limits the use of disposable plastic products.

Opting for eco-friendly alternatives

According to the report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, it is estimated that more than 1.8 million tons of plastic waste are discharged in Vietnam every year and only 10% is recycled. Single-use plastic is popular due to its low cost and high convenience.

At TTC Premium Hotel - Michelia (No. 4 Pasteur, Nha Trang Ward), plastic products such as plastic water cups, straws, gift bags... are replaced by paper ones. According to Ton Nu Thanh Hoa, Chairwoman of TTC Tourism Co., Ltd. currently, there is a trend of green tourism. Implementing the policies of the central government and Khanh Hoa Province on green tourism and sustainable development, the TTC system has gradually replaced disposable plastic products with environmentally friendly materials such as paper, bamboo... "In addition, the hotel has prominently displayed educational signage in multiple languages encouraging guests to reduce their use of disposable plastics. Visitors have expressed appreciation for the environmentally friendly alternatives, contributing to a more sustainable tourism experience.

Propaganda board against single-use plastics at Nha Trang Tourist Wharf.

At some markets in Nha Trang area such as Phuoc Hai, Xom Moi and Phuong Son, strings made from split bamboo and banana leaves are used instead of nylon strings and elastic bands at some vegetable stalls.

Supermarkets such as Go! Nha Trang and Co.opmart Nha Trang are using biodegradable bags to help protect the environment and encourage people to limit the use of plastic products. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van (North Nha Trang Ward) said, “I often choose to buy vegetables wrapped in banana leaves at the supermarket because they are environmentally friendly and I do not have to use extra plastic bags.”

Paper cups and straws at TTC Premium Hotel - Michelia.

At the Provincial Border Guard Command (Provincial Military Command), Khanh Hoa University, etc., glass water bottles and glass cups are used instead of disposable bottled water at meetings.

According to Tran Thi Thanh Nga, Chief of Organization and Administration Department (Khanh Hoa University), in the past 5 years, at events, the school has designed and used environmentally friendly items such as paper cups, glass bottles and non-woven fabric bags which can be reused many times...

In addition, local Women's Unions have organized several practical and meaningful activities to contribute to reducing the use of disposable plastic waste. They included "Exchanging plastic waste for breakfast" by Van Ninh Women's Union; "Small traders in the traditional market say no to disposable plastic waste" by Hoa Tri Women's Union in Tan Ninh Village, the "Exchanging waste for shopping bags" model, etc.

Women in Hoa Tri Commune go to market with shopping baskets and traders wrap food in banana leaves.

Comprehensive measures

Over the years, Khanh Hoa Province has promoted waste reduction and sustainable resource use through recycling, reduction, and reuse. The province has also launched awareness campaigns and implemented practical measures to minimize the use of single-use plastics.

Le Dai Duong, Chairman of the People's Committee of North Nha Trang Ward said, "Solutions to minimize the harmful effects of plastic waste include propagating the limitation of the use of plastic bags and disposable plastic products, carrying shopping bags, using environmentally friendly products, classifying waste for recycling; limiting distribution of plastic bags to customers; and replacing plastic bags with environmentally friendly ones for a green life".

Choosing vegetables wrapped in banana leaves at Go! Nha Trang Supermarket.

According to Hoang Anh Hao, Deputy Head of the Department of Fisheries, Sea and Islands of the province (Department of Agriculture and Environment), the Provincial People's Committee has issued Decision No. 362, dated February 12, 2020, promulgating the Action Plan on ocean plastic waste management to 2030 in the province. Accordingly, the goal by 2030 is to reduce 75% of marine plastic waste and ensure 100% of discarded fishing gear is collected, etc.

According to the leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Provincial People's Committee has issued Plan No. 11891, dated October 22, 2024 on developing green and sustainable tourism in Khanh Hoa Province until 2030; The Department of Tourism has issued a Plan to implement the Green Transformation Project of Khanh Hoa Province for the period 2024 - 2030, the Plan to develop green and sustainable tourism in Khanh Hoa province until 2030, proposing solutions to reduce plastic waste such as replacing plastic products with environmentally friendly materials, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly alternative products...

Furthermore, local authorities need to have policies to support businesses that produce and distribute eco-friendly alternatives and promote digital transformation in waste management, including investing in modern plastic recycling equipment and optimizing waste classification and treatment at the source.

Glass bottles and cups are used at meetings and conferences instead of disposable bottled water at Khanh Hoa University.

T.T-C.T

Translated by N.T