(NLDO) - With the determination to build a zero-waste tourist island, Phu Quy is gradually eliminating plastic waste right from the source and classifying waste.
Phu Quy, the outpost island of the Fatherland, is striving to transform itself into a sustainable tourist destination, aiming for the goal of "Net-Zero" and building the image of a "pearl island" without plastic waste. The key strategy is to encourage residents and visitors to minimize the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic products, "blocking" plastic waste right at the entrance to the island.
Hidden beauty and challenges from tourism
Phu Quy Island, also known as Cu Lao Thu or Khoai Xu Island, is located about 120km from Phan Thiet City. This place is blessed with wild beauty by nature with long white sand beaches, clear blue water like jade and cool green coconut groves.
Phu Quy beach is as calm as a lake
Famous beaches such as Bai Nho, Trieu Duong Bay, and Doi Dua Beach attract tourists with their pure beauty. In addition, Phu Quy also possesses majestic landscapes such as Ganh Hang with majestic rocky cliffs, vast wind power fields, and ancient lighthouses bearing historical imprints.
Tourists check-in at Phu Quy
Diving to see coral under the clear blue sea is an experience not to be missed in Phu Quy.
Different from the hustle and bustle of many other tourist destinations, Phu Quy offers a peaceful, quiet space where visitors can relax, immerse themselves in nature and temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of urban life. In the past 10 years, Phu Quy tourism has made great strides, especially thanks to the proactive 24/24 power source, creating an important premise for economic and tourism activities to develop.
Tourists watch the sea from Phu Quy cliff
However, the development of tourism also poses significant environmental challenges, especially the increase in waste, of which plastic waste accounts for the majority. This puts pressure on the island's waste treatment system and poses a potential risk of marine pollution, seriously affecting the ecosystem and natural landscape - key factors that create the attractiveness of Phu Quy.
Although the island already has the Da Loc Phu Quy Waste Treatment and Recycling Plant with a capacity of 70 tons of waste per day, with the increasing number of tourists, the amount of waste generated is also increasing, requiring more drastic and sustainable solutions.
Resolute action to "say no to plastic waste"
Recognizing the importance of environmental protection in building the image of a "pearl island" for tourism, the authorities of Binh Thuan province and Phu Quy island district have implemented many specific actions to eliminate plastic waste. One of the important measures is to "block" the source of plastic waste right from the ships from the mainland to the island.
Since March 2024, the People's Committee of Phu Quy district has launched an anti-plastic waste campaign, encouraging tourists not to bring plastic waste to the island. High-speed ferries taking tourists to the island also strictly prohibit the use of plastic bottles, plastic products and nylon bags.
Volunteers distribute biodegradable, environmentally friendly bags to visitors to Phu Quy. Photo: MS
Ms. Luu Thi Tien, representative of Superdong Phu Quy High-Speed Boat Joint Stock Company, said that the company has built a culture of responsible behavior towards the environment, increased the use of environmentally friendly products and raised tourists’ awareness of limiting the use of disposable plastic products. Initially, tourists were still confused about the restriction of plastic water bottles, but thanks to persistent propaganda, reminders and reasonable placement of trash bins, the amount of plastic waste on the island has significantly decreased.
Many boats going in and out of the island are encouraged not to carry plastic waste. Photo: MS
To realize the goal of "Phu Quy - Destination saying no to plastic waste", the island district has implemented many synchronous solutions. Currently, 100% of canoes providing passenger transport services to Hon Tranh Island and other isolated islands are required not to use plastic bottles, plastic products, and single-use plastic bags; tourists are encouraged to absolutely not throw trash into the sea or bring plastic waste to Hon Tranh Island.
The streets on Phu Quy island district are tidy and gradually free of trash.
Not only handling from the ships, at the ports, the authorities of Phu Quy island district also arranged forces to control tourists not to bring plastic bags and disposable plastic items to the island. At Phu Quy ports, this control is also strictly implemented, requiring tourists to collect plastic bags and plastic items in the trash bins located at the wharf.
Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Phu Quy district, emphasized the importance of protecting the marine environment against the current situation of plastic waste pollution, especially ocean plastic pollution. Currently, the People's Committee of Phu Quy district is implementing good and effective models in the collection and transportation of domestic solid waste, mobilizing the participation of businesses and the community to participate in the collection, transportation and treatment of solid waste in accordance with regulations.
Tourists join hands to pick up ocean waste that drifts to the island. Photo: Le Duyen
In addition, the locality also issued Plan No. 72/KH-UBND dated May 14, 2021 on ocean plastic waste management by 2030; Plan No. 170/KH-UBND dated 2023 of the District People's Committee on piloting the model of households and individuals classifying waste at source according to criterion 17 of the New Rural Program.
Accordingly, Phu Quy district has issued a document requesting agencies, units, transport enterprises, tourism enterprises and tourists to join hands, actively and resolutely implement effectively the movement against plastic waste associated with encouraging tourists not to bring plastic waste to the island.
Phu Quy destination is increasingly attracting visitors thanks to its clean environment.
These synchronous and drastic efforts demonstrate the determination of the government and people of Phu Quy in protecting the environment, building the image of a "pearl island" without plastic waste, and aiming for sustainable tourism development.
Phu Quy is an island district of Binh Thuan province, located about 56 nautical miles (120 km) southeast of the mainland. Its natural area is 17 km2, with a population of about 30,000 people. Phu Quy island district is known for its great potential for marine economy, especially in the tourism sector. In 2024, the island district welcomed 150,426 tourists, including 3,605 international tourists.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/phu-quy-xay-dung-hinh-anh-dao-ngoc-du-lich-khong-rac-thai-nhua-196250124225401182.htm
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