Along with the achievements in socio-economic development, Ho Chi Minh City is facing many challenges in terms of environmental pollution from its economic growth and urbanization process. Accordingly, the southern metropolis has been making efforts to build environmentally friendly city as protecting the environment is essential to sustainable economic growth.
In the circular economy associated with green growth that Vietnam is aiming for, by-products and waste in the production process are considered renewable resources.
More than 90 percent of domestic enterprises have had activities to convert to the circular economy model in various degrees, according to the result of a survey by the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) announced in early October this year, showing a positive signal in Vietnam's roadmap towards a circular economy.
Vietnam aims to use 100 percent of environmentally-friendly plastic bags and packaging at shopping malls and supermarkets by 2025, according to a project on strengthening management of plastic waste in Vietnam approved by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on July 22.
Having worked in biopolymer research for more than a decade, Doan Van Tung in Ho Chi Minh City began his adventure by founding the iGreen development company in 2020 – a start-up promoting bioplastic production as an alternative to polluting fossil-based plastic.
In an effort to cut down on plastic waste , Ho Chi Minh City has implemented solutions including encouraging people to limit non-biodegradable plastic bags and single-use plastic use for years.
The campaign Earth Hour 2020 is going to take place on March 28. However, in such a sensitive time of the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 200 nations, including Vietnam, have moved most of their propaganda activities online to continue raising people awareness of environment protection.
A public-private partnership agreement on building the circular economy in plastic waste management in Vietnam has been signed for the first time by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Dow Chemical Vietnam Limited Company, SCG Group, and Unilever Vietnam International Co. Ltd on February 19.
