On World Environment Day June 5: Solutions to plastic pollution

Solutions to plastic pollution is the theme of this year's World Environment Day, June 5. This theme shows the urgency of protecting the environment from the harmful effects of plastic pollution on life; at the same time, it calls on the community to change their consumption habits and eliminate plastic waste...

On World Environment Day June 5: Solutions to plastic pollution Armed forces and youth union members of Sam Son City launched a campaign to clean up the marine environment in response to World Environment Day 2023.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), environmental pollution from plastic waste is becoming the most pressing issue facing countries around the world. Every year, about 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, half of which are designed for single use, and less than 10% are recycled. It is estimated that every year, about 19 - 23 million tons of plastic waste are discharged into lakes, rivers and seas; at the same time, each person on the planet may have to receive more than 50,000 plastic particles each year. Single-use plastics that are thrown away or burned are harmful to human health, polluting ecosystems, from mountain tops to ocean floors. It is also estimated that at the current rate of plastic use, tens of billions of tons of plastic will be produced by 2050, a large part of which will end up in the oceans, where it will remain for centuries. With its natural sustainability, plastic waste (plastic bottles, nylon bags, food containers, cups...) along with other environmental pollutants have been negatively affecting the socio-economy and human health, becoming a major challenge for the environment.

In recent years, Vietnam has been implementing many mechanisms, strategies, policies and projects to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. Typically, the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 has added regulations on reducing, reusing, recycling and treating plastic waste; limiting the use of disposable plastic products and hard-to-decompose plastic bags; encouraging the production of environmentally friendly products to replace traditional plastic products. However, the convenience of plastic bags creates a habit that is difficult for consumers to break in their use. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has surveyed and shown that on average, each Vietnamese household uses about 200 plastic bags of all kinds per month. This also means that if there is no practical solution to limit the use of plastic bags, it will not be long before plastic bags flood the streets, canals, fields, etc., the environment will be severely damaged and difficult to overcome.

Based on the above reality, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has called on ministries, branches, provinces and cities; organizations and socio-political organizations to organize a series of activities in response to the "Month of action for the environment" and respond to World Environment Day nationwide with the theme "Solutions for plastic pollution". In particular, focusing on implementing the "Anti-plastic pollution" campaign to strongly convey the message of building a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature; rationally using natural resources, biodiversity and adapting to climate change; controlling and solving plastic waste pollution through policies, initiatives and participating in global and regional cooperation mechanisms; moving towards a greener, cleaner lifestyle; increasing recycling and reuse; promoting the construction of a green economy, circular economy and sustainable development; effectively implementing the anti-plastic waste policy.

With the theme of this year's World Environment Day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also requests ministries, departments, branches, central organizations; People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities and agencies and units to pay attention to directing and guiding the organization of activities, organizing propaganda and implementing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and mechanisms, policies and laws on environmental protection. Agencies and units need to effectively implement the Project "Promoting propaganda on plastic waste prevention and control in the period of 2021-2025"; Directive No. 33/CT-TTg on strengthening the management, reuse, recycling, treatment and reduction of plastic waste; Project "Strengthening plastic waste management in Vietnam"... At the same time, develop and promulgate regulations, mechanisms and preferential policies for enterprises producing environmentally friendly products and recycling enterprises; Strengthen research and transfer of advanced technology to recycle plastic waste into useful, environmentally friendly products. In addition, promote the development of infrastructure and services for collecting and recycling plastic waste; collect, classify and treat household waste and plastic waste at source.

In Thanh Hoa, a survey by the relevant authorities shows that the amount of plastic waste generated in 2022 in localities across the province fluctuates greatly. Of which, the highest is Thanh Hoa City with a total emission of 54.27 tons/day, equivalent to nearly 19,809 tons/year (accounting for 15.49% of the whole province), and the urban area alone is 8,709.38 tons/year. Sam Son City has the second highest emission with a total plastic waste of 20.44 tons/day, equivalent to nearly 7,461 tons/year... With such a large amount of plastic waste and nylon bags used and discharged, the management of this waste still has many shortcomings and difficulties. In order to limit the use of plastic products and nylon bags, in recent years, the authorities in the province have proactively coordinated with relevant departments and branches to organize propaganda to the people about the harmful effects of the habit of using nylon bags. At the same time, they have proposed specific practical solutions such as classifying nylon bag waste, encouraging multiple use in supermarkets, shopping malls, etc. Supporting women's associations to establish clubs to limit the use of nylon bags, etc. However, the results have not been as expected.

Practically responding to World Environment Day this year, on May 30, 2023, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 135/KH-UBND with many important contents and tasks assigned to sectors, units and localities for implementation such as: organizing propaganda and education activities, raising awareness for all levels, departments, branches, organizations and people of all walks of life about the importance of environmental protection, the harmful effects of plastic pollution and nylon bags on life; printing banners made from environmentally friendly materials to promote response to World Environment Day, Vietnam Sea and Islands Week in 2023 and hanging them in public areas, streets, offices and suitable locations. Strengthening control over the collection, transportation and treatment of waste and plastic waste, especially in coastal areas and on islands; Organize beach cleaning activities, clean up the environment in coastal areas, coastal tourist areas, anchorage areas, fishing ports, coastal wholesale markets; organize tree planting to prevent coastal erosion...

World Environment Day is not only an opportunity for everyone to participate in environmental protection activities, but also to raise awareness among all classes of people about the importance of environmental protection. More than ever, let's speak up for the environment, recognize the challenges that people are facing, thereby raising our spirit and responsibility and through small daily actions such as classifying and treating organic waste at the place of origin, limiting the use of disposable plastic products and hard-to-decompose nylon bags towards the common goal of people's lives, for the sustainable development of the province in particular and the whole country in general.

Article and photos: Phong Sac

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