Australia to launch new Plastics Innovation Hub in Vietnam
Australian science will deliver new innovations to tackle plastic waste in the Indo-Pacific, with a Plastics Innovation Hub being launched in Vietnam, according to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Hanoi (VNA) - Australian science will deliver new innovationsto tackle plastic waste in the Indo-Pacific, with a Plastics Innovation Hubbeing launched in Vietnam, according to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Globally,75% of plastic produced is becoming waste. To help address this, the PlasticsInnovation Hub Vietnam, launched on June 23, aims to significantly reduce plasticwaste in Vietnam through key stakeholder collaborations and science andinnovation excellence.
ThePlastics Innovation Hub Vietnam is an initiative of Aus4Innovation Program, an official development assistance programme sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, managed andco-funded by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, out of the AustralianEmbassy in Hanoi, and delivered in strategic partnership with Vietnam’sMinistry of Science and Technology.
ThePlastics Innovation Hub Vietnam (the Hub Vietnam) is part of CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission,which has a goal of 80% reduction in plastic entering the environment by 2030.
CSIROSoutheast Asia Counsellor, Amelia Fyfield said that collaboration was the keyto solving the global plastic pollution challenge.
“CSIRO isexcited to collaborate through the Plastics Innovation Hub Vietnam and use our globallyrenowned science and expertise to work on addressing this problem internationally,”Fyfield said, “The Plastics Innovation HubVietnam differentiates itself by focusing on early-stage initiatives, setting foundations,and aiming to connect participants with key networks.”
The soft launch of the hub was joined by research institute, universities, non-government organizations and businesses from both Vietnam and Australia. (Screenshot)
The Hub Vietnamwill be a vehicle for collaboration, bringing together local communities andgovernments, business, and investors to undertake action-based projects toreduce the impacts of plastic waste. It expands the network in theregion, following the launch of a Plastic Innovation Hub in Indonesia in March2022.
Research intoplastic in Vietnam has already been undertaken as part of CSIRO’s largest globalplastic pollution survey. The goal of this work has been to identify how muchand what types of rubbish end up in the environment. Additional work between Australiaand Vietnam is also planned for the coming months, as Vietnam looks to developa national data repository and expand on-the-ground surveys.
ProgramDirector for Aus4Innovation, Kim Wimbush, said solutions based on science,technology and innovation would support the Vietnamese government’s goals ontackling plastic waste and building a circular economy.
Reducingplastic waste brings economic and environmental advantages, he said, adding that expandingthe collaborations across the region will identify new approaches in reducingplastic waste and support Vietnam’s pledge to reduce the flow of plastics intothe ocean by 75% by 2030.”/.
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Illustrative image (Source: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
The soft launch of the hub was joined by research institute, universities, non-government organizations and businesses from both Vietnam and Australia. (Screenshot) 
