A “Day without Plastic Bags – TheNature Day” was launched in Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam province, onSept. 9 to appeal to both local residents and tourists.

The event, the first of its kind in Vietnam --and the world--is a jointinitiative of the Centre for Support of Combating Climate Change andthe Science and Life newspaper and will be organised annually.

It aims to raise awareness among the community of the adverse impactsof plastic bags on human health and the environment and encouragepeople to kick the plastic-bag-free habit.

The event, with the support from Vietnamese ministries, agencies, theFinish Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),includes activities to encourage a plastic-bag-free lifestyle and urgeagencies, families and individuals not to use the bags.

During the day, 100 stores on Le Loi street committed not to useplastic bags, their customers were encouraged to bring along bags oftheir own as well as being or provided with environmentally-friendlybags for free.

The organising board also coordinated the collection and exchange ofplastic bags for environmentally-friendly bags, made of sedge (anatural fibre) or paper. A bicycle parade was also organised with theparticipation of volunteers, students and tourists as well.

In addition, a gala was held in the evening to award individuals and groups who took an active part in the event.

At the end of the day, Hoi An collected more than 80,000 waste plastic bags.

Thanks to the event, Hoi An will contribute to improving theenvironment, phasing out the use of plastic bags and creatingconditions for restoring the locality’s traditional sedge handicraftvillage, said Truong Van Bay, Vice Chairman of Hoi An People’sCommittee.

According to the organising board, the Day without Plastic Bags – TheNature Day will be expanded nationwide and to other countries, eachSeptember 9, in following years./.