Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam and VietCycle cooperate to collect, recycle and reduce plastic waste

On August 23 in Hanoi, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam cooperated with VietCycle to organize a training course to improve the capacity of waste collection and classification for informal workers.

This is an educational activity of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam within the cooperation project on collection and recycling, reducing plastic waste, demonstrating its commitment to accompany the Vietnamese Government in implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and promoting the circular economy. Attending the program were representatives of the Solid Waste Management Department, Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and 100 informal collectors.

Delegates participating in the training program to improve waste collection and classification capacity of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Plastic Waste Reduction Collection and Recycling Cooperation Project has long been a pioneer in its commitment to sustainable development, promoting sustainable packaging initiatives as well as implementing packaging collection and recycling. In 2019, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam became a founding member of the Packaging Recycling Alliance - PRO Vietnam. Since then, the company has continuously implemented many initiatives to promote sustainable packaging, reduce virgin plastic, increase the use of recycled plastic (rPET), and is the first beverage company in Vietnam to launch products with packaging made from 100% recycled plastic. This project affirms Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam's commitment to promoting circular economy in conjunction with the Vietnamese Government. This initiative not only improves the efficiency of the collection and recycling system but also focuses on educating the community about packaging separation and recycling, with the aim of improving the recycling process, promoting sustainable behavior, and creating positive and lasting changes in the community, especially targeting two key groups: waste collectors and students. Mr. Do Thai Vuong - Deputy General Director of External Affairs and Communications, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam said: "One of the key areas in the company's sustainable development strategy is sustainable packaging, from reducing the amount of plastic, improving more environmentally friendly packaging and promoting collection and recycling. Understanding the importance of education in changing behavior, the company implements collection and recycling education activities aimed at the informal workforce and young consumers/students. We believe that these training programs will equip knowledge and provide motivation to create sustainable changes in waste management and encourage environmental protection habits."

Participants are trained to understand the types of waste, how to effectively sort them, and practice these skills.

The main cooperation contents include: Collecting and recycling packaging with the aim of increasing reuse, recycling, expanding the use of environmentally friendly materials, and reducing plastic waste; Organizing and implementing training programs to improve collection and classification capacity for the informal workforce, to affirm the importance and honor the contribution of the informal workforce in environmental protection; Organizing and implementing training programs for students on the value of plastic and recycled plastic, thereby promoting a green and sustainable lifestyle for future generations. Training program to improve collection and classification capacity for the informal workforce The informal workforce is an important factor, this is the core force in the collection, classification and recycling of waste. However, the freelance workforce has not had access to information on waste classification at source, clearly understood the value of plastic as well as health care and safety at work.

Ms. Ngo Nu Huyen Trang - Head of External Affairs - Environment, Society & Corporate Governance and Communications of Suntory PepsiCo and Mr. Hoang Duc Vuong - Chairman of the Board of Directors of VietCycle Joint Stock Company presented lucky draw prizes with practical gifts to accompany the women on their journeys.

The content of the training session focused on clarifying the role of informal forces in implementing EPR and improving understanding of plastic waste classification and plastic circulation. In addition, waste classification games were organized so that participants could practice and apply the knowledge they had learned, and at the same time receive meaningful gifts. With the training program for 100 freelance female workers, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam hopes to not only improve knowledge of legal policies and expertise in waste collection and classification, but also create conditions to ensure collection efficiency, improve livelihoods and labor safety for female workers. Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/suntory-pepsico-viet-nam-va-vietcycle-hop-tac-thu-gom-tai-che-giam-thieu-rac-thai-nhua-378779.html