Green Vietnam Festival 2024: Greener economy from small actions

The Green Vietnam Festival 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City is like an inspiring 'green party' in the heart of the city, attracting a large number of people and more than 60 businesses to participate.

Ngày hội Việt Nam Xanh 2024: Kinh tế thêm xanh từ hành động nhỏ - Ảnh 1. — Drink cartons can be recycled, and during the festival, people who bring used cartons can exchange them for gifts - Photo: Q. DINH

With meaningful activities such as exchanging trash for gifts, experiencing recycled products and discovering environmentally friendly technology, the event has strongly spread the message of green living and sustainable consumption.

Bring trash to exchange for green gifts

From early morning on November 9, the Youth Cultural House (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) was bustling with people flocking to attend the Green Vietnam Festival 2024. The atmosphere was bustling and joyful for all ages: from children holding their parents' hands, energetic young people to the elderly eager to experience.

The highlight of the festival is the "trash for gifts" area which is always "full". Here, plastic bottles and paper boxes are "revived" in a special way. Many people participate in sorting trash and participating in games to receive meaningful gifts.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Ngan said she learned about the event through Facebook so she decided to bring 42 fresh milk cartons and nearly 10 plastic bottles to Vinamilk's booth to exchange for gifts. "I was able to exchange for 3 fresh milk cartons and 1 succulent plant," Ms. Ngan shared.

Ms. Ngan said that her family has two children, one 4 years old and one 7 years old, so every day they use about 10 cartons of fresh milk. Knowing that cartons of milk are a type of waste that is difficult to recycle, Ms. Ngan always keeps the cartons, sorts them, washes them and exchanges them instead of throwing them away in the environment.

"I really like this event because I can exchange gifts, have fun and receive rewards. These activities are not only interesting but also help me understand more about environmental protection," she shared.

Ngày hội Việt Nam Xanh 2024: Kinh tế thêm xanh từ hành động nhỏ - Ảnh 2. — A group of Japanese tourists attend the Green Vietnam Festival - Photo: VAN TRUNG

As a green lifestyle lover, Ms. Ngan was very excited to hear that there was an on-site waste sorting and recycling machine (Botol) at the event. Therefore, she not only participated alone but also brought her 68-year-old mother along, so that both mother and daughter could experience the waste sorting and recycling machine at the festival.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan could not hide her excitement: "The festival is wonderful! Exchanging old items for new ones, these bottles have been trash in my house for a long time without being processed. Now there is an opportunity to reuse them, not only helping to reduce waste but also making useful items," Ms. Lan expressed.

Ms. Lan shared that she was most surprised to learn that coffee grounds can be recycled into many useful products such as cups, t-shirts, pens and thermoses.

"I'm impressed with recycled products. Things that seem to be trash can be turned into such beautiful and useful items," she shared in surprise.

Ngày hội Việt Nam Xanh 2024: Kinh tế thêm xanh từ hành động nhỏ - Ảnh 3. — Representatives of leaders of ministries, departments, branches and Ho Chi Minh City along with guests placed the words Green Vietnam, Green Vietnam Festival has begun - Photo: QUANG DINH

Enterprises accompanying green living

The participation of businesses such as Vinamilk, ACB, Faslink and Coteccons, VinFast... not only enriches the activities at the event but also demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting sustainable production and consumption.

At ACB's booth, visitors were amazed by the products made from recycled materials, both beautiful and useful.

Not stopping there, ACB also announced a credit package of up to VND4,000 billion with preferential interest rates for green production projects. This move shows that the financial sector also plays a proactive role in supporting businesses to overcome cost challenges when implementing sustainable projects.

Faslink Fashion Company's booth also brought surprises when introducing clothes and accessories made from recycled fibers.

Mr. Vo Thanh Phuoc, representative of Faslink, believes that the activities throughout the journey of Green Vietnam will help define more clearly and form green consumption habits in the community, thereby creating positive impacts on the environment.

Ngày hội Việt Nam Xanh 2024: Kinh tế thêm xanh từ hành động nhỏ - Ảnh 4. — Miss Ngoc Chau (left cover) and Miss H'Hen Nie (right cover) at the Gen Zero exhibition booth founded by Miss Bao Ngoc - Photo: THANH HIEP

"Faslink is very happy and honored to accompany Vietnam Xanh and Tuoi Tre. We believe that with the support of Tuoi Tre, the spirit of green living and green consumption will increasingly spread, contributing to improving the living environment," said Mr. Phuoc.

Mr. Phuoc emphasized that changing consumer thinking is a key factor in promoting a green economy.

"As the demand for green consumption increases, green production will develop. Therefore, changing consumption habits towards sustainability not only plays an important role in green transformation but also promotes a green economy comprehensively.

When the community changes its consumer mindset, it will promote green production. Together, businesses and the community will better fulfill their sustainable mission," said Mr. Phuoc.

Mr. Le Anh, director of sustainable development of Duy Tan Recycled Plastics Joint Stock Company, said that with the professional organization of Tuoi Tre newspaper and the companionship of Pro Vietnam, the program has created a positive ripple effect.

This will promote increased use of recycled products and reduce the amount of virgin plastic used in production.

Duy Tan Recycling currently collects and recycles about 180 tons of plastic per day, equivalent to about 14 million plastic bottles.

If these bottles were stacked end to end, the total length could reach 850km. "This gives you a better idea of the large volume we deal with every day. If this amount of plastic is not treated, it will occupy a significant area in the ground, causing a major impact on the ecosystem," Mr. Le Anh explained.

Alta Plastic Company is a typical example that impresses visitors with its Recycle Depot recycling system - an automatic recycling solution and on-site waste sorting, attracting visitors.

This system turns plastic bottles into useful products such as flower pots, decorations or stationery through 3D printing technology. Technology and creative ideas can change the way we perceive and handle waste, turning waste into assets.