Spreading the lifestyle from the program "Exchange trash for trees"

Exchanging trash for trees is a meaningful program that the youth union members of Hoa Lu district are implementing to contribute to spreading a green lifestyle, reducing plastic waste, and joining hands to protect the environment.

With just 10-15 used plastic cans and cardboard boxes, students and residents of Ninh Khang commune can exchange them for trees or gifts such as recycled trash bags, notebooks, children's stories, school supplies, etc.

With a creative approach, the program "Exchange trash for trees, for gifts, 1 million trees for a green Vietnam" implemented by Hoa Lu District Youth Union in coordination with the district's Department of Education and Training at the "Healthy Children, Stepping Up to the Youth Union" Festival attracted a large number of students and people to participate.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Minh Yen, Secretary of Hoa Lu District Youth Union, said: "In recent times, the Standing Committee of the District Youth Union has implemented many projects and tasks for youth to join hands in protecting the environment and responding to climate change, associated with key activities during Youth Month.

This year's "Healthy Children, Stepping Up to the Youth Union" festival is organized in conjunction with the theme of Education against waste and environmental protection. In addition to the activity of exchanging waste for trees and gifts, the festival is also associated with the dissemination of useful information on the prevention and control of plastic waste, how to manage, classify, and manage plastic waste and single-use plastic bags...

Children are the future generation of the country. Spreading activities will contribute to raising awareness of environmental protection for children from an early age, forming a green lifestyle from a young age."

In just one morning, the "Exchange trash for trees, get gifts" booth collected 210 kg of paper, cardboard, nearly 360 kg of cans, plastic and exchanged for over 300 trees and gifts of all kinds. According to comrade Nguyen Thu Thuy, Secretary of the Ninh Khang Commune Youth Union, the money collected from the program was allocated by the Commune Youth Union and called for more socialized resources to plant rows of bougainvillea trees in Dong Phu village.

In Ninh My commune, the program of exchanging trash for trees is also receiving positive response from the people, union members and youth. No matter how much waste you bring, you can exchange it for a beautiful potted plant.

The program was launched by the Commune Youth Union on March 14 and will last throughout Youth Month. Comrade Hoang Thi Thanh, Secretary of the Ninh My Commune Youth Union, said: "Since its launch, the Commune Youth Union has received 200 kg of cardboard, 160 kg of paper, more than 600 cans, 140 old batteries, and exchanged them for over 100 trees and flowers.

Spreading green lifestyle from the program — Youth Union members of Ninh Khang commune participate in planting bougainvillea trees (Dong Phu village), the cost is taken from the program "Exchanging trash for trees" and socialized resources.

The model of Exchanging trash for trees is a small action but has great meaning. Through the program, we aim to promote the collection and classification of plastic waste to union members, youth and people, reduce the habit of using disposable plastic products, and eliminate the habit of littering that affects the environment, thereby contributing to building a green, clean and beautiful landscape. We hope that the program will also spread the movement of planting and caring for trees."

Identifying environmental protection as a key, regular and long-term movement, Hoa Lu District Youth Union at all levels always make efforts and take responsibility in implementing the youth movement to participate in environmental protection. The Youth Union bases research and select appropriate and practical activities to suit the actual situation of each locality.

During Youth Month 2024, 100% of the Youth Union bases in the district simultaneously organized the Peak Day of "Volunteering to join hands in building new rural areas", "Green Sunday" with practical activities such as collecting, classifying and treating waste; planting and caring for trees; cleaning the environment in communes, towns, agencies and units; cleaning up streets and rural roads; exchanging waste for trees; removing illegal advertisements; raising people's awareness of environmental protection...

Many models of youth participating in environmental protection are being maintained and replicated such as: "People's market to reduce plastic waste", "Plastic bottle and can collection bins", "Exchanging trash for trees", "Youth self-managed route to be bright, green, clean and beautiful"...

Comrade Nguyen Thi Minh Yen, Secretary of Hoa Lu District Youth Union added: "In the coming time, the District Youth Union will deploy more plans, models and forms of propaganda to contribute to raising people's awareness of environmental protection, especially the fight against plastic waste".

"Wherever there is a need, there are youth; wherever there is difficulty, there are youth." Through each task and project, Hoa Lu youth has affirmed their pioneering role in environmental protection, contributing to building livable countrysides.

Article and photos: Hong Minh

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