Exhibition on the scrap metal collection profession

Scrap collectors, mostly women, are present on every urban street, playing a crucial role in the recycling value chain and the circular economy. Their stories were recently highlighted in the exhibition "Scrap Metal, Recyclable Materials, and the Future of Plastic Waste" in Hanoi, promoting awareness and action for a better living environment.

The exhibition, which opened at the end of March, showcased representative paintings and sculptures from a creative competition for students of Hanoi University of Architecture.

"Scrap collectors" is a common term in northern Vietnam for people who collect or buy discarded scrap materials, similar to "junk collectors" in southern Vietnam. They are among the first to access and sort recyclable waste, helping to reduce pressure on landfills and contributing to solid waste management.

An estimated 3 million workers, nearly 90% of whom are women, are employed in scrap yards, recycling villages, or operating throughout the city streets and alleyways.

Those who do this work have low levels of education, come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and have not received training in waste sorting or processing.

Besides hazardous working conditions and facing social stigma, they also encounter many barriers in managing their income and accessing financial services, support policies, and rights protection.

The "Empowering Green Warriors" project, organized by Hanoi University of Architecture and VietCycle Joint Stock Company with the support of the Global Action Program on Plastics (GPAP), showcased the beauty of "junk and recyclable" workers, outlining the journey from waste to resources and highlighting the role of waste sorting and recycling.

Through the youthful and creative lens of young authors, the public gains a deeper and more humane understanding of an informal workforce often underestimated or marginalized in society. This occasion also features a panel discussion titled "Scrap Collecting: Past, Present, and Future," with the participation of over 50 female scrap collectors.

According to Mr. Hoang Duc Vuong, Chairman of the Vietnam Recycled Plastics Association (Vietnam Plastics Association), the recycling industry has existed for the past half-century with thousands of craft villages across the country, concentrated near major cities. It is estimated that 3 million workers, nearly 90% of whom are women, work in scrap yards, recycling villages, or operate throughout the city streets and alleys. This network not only collects but also sorts recyclable waste using rudimentary technologies, primarily based on practical experience. It can be affirmed that scrap collectors and junk dealers play the role of the first filters in the recycling value chain. Therefore, raising social awareness and creating opportunities for the development of this workforce not only contributes to environmental protection but also promotes a circular economy model – a sustainable solution to the increasing problem of plastic waste pollution.

The scrap collecting profession in Hanoi was the subject of scientific research by a group of authors from Hanoi University of Architecture since 2015, with numerous exhibitions, seminars, and publications aimed at identifying a low-income profession that brings many benefits to the community.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thai Huyen, Deputy Director of the Institute of Training and International Cooperation (Hanoi University of Architecture), and head of the research team, from an economic perspective, this is a profession that brings significant value, and there are even villages and rural areas where the scrap collection profession is passed down from father to son. Some women working in this profession at the event shared that they have been involved in this livelihood for 20, 30, or even 40 years; in some cases, a woman nearly 70 years old has been collecting scrap in Hanoi for 50 years.

In recent times, many social organizations and projects have emerged to directly support workers and aim to change social perceptions, gradually increasing income for disadvantaged communities through training programs and moral support.

Speaking on behalf of the co-founder of the "Supporting Green Warriors" project, VietCycle Director Nguyen Van Tuan said: Currently, there are more than 3,000 scrap collectors in Hanoi collaborating with VietCycle in a closed-loop system that extends the lifecycle of plastic waste, creating a value chain with shared benefits. On average, each collector collects 15-20kg of plastic, meaning over 3,000 people collect 45-60 tons of plastic waste per day.

By joining the network, these "green warriors" receive support in the form of personal protective equipment, guidance on waste sorting, training on occupational safety and gender equality, and useful gifts to help them work outdoors for extended periods.

More importantly, workers become aware of the meaning of their work, and become more confident and open. In February 2025, VietCycle organized a training program on "Raising awareness about plastic waste and financial management" for 100 workers involved in collecting and sorting plastic waste in Ho Chi Minh City.

A representative from VietCycle also emphasized that a key objective of the project is to provide basic health and social insurance. The company, along with several partners, is researching the establishment of a cooperative or association specifically for scrap collectors, providing them with a representative organization to ensure their social security, facilitate dialogue, and coordinate with relevant authorities, businesses, and organizations in the field.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trien-lam-ve-nghe-thu-gom-phe-lieu-post870418.html