Ministry, packaging industry join hands to handle plastic waste
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the Packaging Recycling Organisation Vietnam (Pro Vietnam) inked a deal in Hanoi on September 11 on joint efforts to reduce plastic waste.
At the signing ceremony (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) –The Ministry of Natural Resourcesand Environment (MONRE) and the Packaging Recycling Organisation Vietnam (ProVietnam) inked a deal in Hanoi on September 11 on joint efforts to reduceplastic waste.
Under the deal, the sides will work together to supportactivities for waste reduction and sorting at sources, as well as to boost thecapacity and effectiveness of the system for collecting, transporting andrecycling waste.
They aim to enhance responsibilities of producers, brandowners, distributors, retailers both modern and traditional, and exporters intheir management of after-consumption waste and recycling work.
The cooperation also targets forming a recycling industry,assisting products made from recycled materials, and raising public awarenesson the matter.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of NaturalResources and Environment Tran Hong Ha lauded Pro Vietnam’s proactive approachin sharing responsibilities to deal with the waste issue, particularly plasticwaste in the packaging industry.
Enterprises contribute to such problem but they can also bepart of the solution, he stated.
Chairman of Pro Vietnam Pham Phu Ngoc Trai said the organisationaims to collect all packaging used by its members in the market by 2030.
It will build a system to collect these packaging materials basedon cooperation with local-level authorities and relevant sides within thesector, he added.
Vietnam is one of the five countries throwing the most plasticwaste into oceans, according to international organisations.
The MONRE estimated that about 80 tonnes of plastic wasteand bags are thrown away every day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City combined.
On June 21, Pro Vietnam was established with theparticipation of nine major companies such as TH Group, Cola Cola, La Vie,Nestle and Nutifood. Between now and later this year, 30 others will join itsplastic waste recycling scheme./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has praised domestic and multinational companies in the food and beverages industry for their initiative of setting up PRO Vietnam, an organisation for recycling packaging materials.
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At the signing ceremony (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
