Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called on ministries, sectors, localities and people nationwide to join hands in controlling and reducing plastic waste while launching a nati𝓡onal campaign on plastic waste prevention.

Plastic waste is a global problem, he said at the launching ceremony in Hanoi downtown on June 9, stressing negative impacts of plastic waste on the ecosystem, living environment, human health and sustainable development of each country. In Vietnam, the daily use of plastic and nylon bags is increasing, threatening the environment of land, water, air and ocean, he said, calling for timely drastic measures to prevent adverse effects of plastic waste. In 2018, the United Nations launched a campaign themed "Resolving plastic and plastic pollution" in order to call on the community to change the habit of using single-use plastic products, thus reducing environmental pollution and protecting human health. Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in 2019, heads of state and leaders of multinational corporations strongly committed to fighting plastic waste. Together with the joint efforts, Vietnam has actively proposed initiatives and participated in global and regional cooperation mechanisms to solve plastic waste. The Government has issued and continues improving the system of mechanisms, policies and solutions to control environmental pollution caused by plastic waste, especially single-use plastic products and nylon bags. The Prime Minister also sent a letter to agencies, local authorities, businesses and people nationwide to call for a join effort to fight plastic waste. Thereby, some localities, businesses and the community have taken practical models, initiatives and actions to address plastic waste, and promote the reduction, classification, reuse and recycling of waste. “This morning, I visited booths displaying inventions which replace plastic products. I appreciate these initiatives and wish that they are expanded across the country, but the outcomes have yet to be promoted and spread throughout the country; awareness of harmful effects of plastic waste is limited; the habit of using nylon bags is still popular; and the rate of plastic waste classification, collection and recycling is low,” said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. He underlined the urgent task to solve environmental pollution, especially caused by plastic waste and nylon bags, while calling for the involvement of agencies, sectors, the business community, whole society, each family and each citizen. Therefore, he asked competent ministries, agencies, sectors and localities to outline programmes and plans on phasing out the use of plastic products and work to realise the target of not using single-use plastic products in urban markets, convenience stores and supermarkets by 2021, and nationwide by 2025. Each official and Party member, especially heads of Party committees, sectors and agencies, should set good examples in the effort, he added. As for the local business community, the Prime Minister asked them to improve social corporate responsibility by joining efforts to combat plastic waste. Meanwhile, consumers were requested to carry their own bags for multiple use while shopping.

At the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented certificates to nearly 30 members of an alliance of businesses against plastic waste. They are enterprises pioneering in the movement against plastic waste and producing environmentally friendly products recognised and appreciated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Thinh Dat International JSC, for instance, has studied and produced environmentally friendly products such as straws made of bamboo and rice, and products made from wheat stalks. These are convenient and edible straws.

In addition, the company has researched and produced waterproof paper product for multiple use that is both environmentally friendly and safe for people. The product is now available in the market and used in schools, restaurants and hotels.

Also at the launching ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man presented certificates to ambassadors of the anti-waste movement 2019. They are well-known experts, scientists and social activists.

Following t💮he launching ceremony, PM Phuc, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and many officials joined a walk, calling for the public’s involvement in the fight against plastic trash.-VNA