Building Hue City into a model plastic-reducing urban area

(Fatherland) - Through the Hue Project - Plastic-reducing urban area in Central Vietnam, 570 tons of plastic waste were collected and managed, and plastic-reducing tourism models in Hue City were also formed and developed...

The above information was given at the Workshop on Completion of the Hue Project - Plastic-reducing Cities in Central Vietnam for the period 2021-2024 and Project Expansion Implementation in 2025 held in Hue City on the morning of November 15.

Scene at the conference.

Plastic Smart Cities is a WWF International initiative that brings cities and tourism destinations together to take action against plastic pollution. Through the program, WWF builds local capacity to achieve zero plastic waste in nature by 2030.

Mr. Van Ngoc Thinh, General Director of WWF-Vietnam, said that in Vietnam, Hue is the 7th city to sign a commitment to become a Plastic-Reducing City, aiming to reduce 30% of plastic waste lost to the environment by 2024. With funding from WWF-Norway, WWF-Vietnam has accompanied Hue City through the project "Hue - Plastic-Reducing City in Central Vietnam" over the past 4 years.

Through the implementation of intervention activities, the project has achieved remarkable results in reducing plastic waste in Hue, including the collection and management of 570 tons of plastic waste, reaching 265% of the initial target. Many models, initiatives and solutions have been successfully implemented in Hue City.

Mr. Van Ngoc Thinh, General Director of WWF-Vietnam spoke at the workshop.

Accordingly, the program of classifying domestic solid waste at source has been deployed throughout Hue City with the synchronous provision of 295 points of containers for storing solid waste after classification along with a series of communication measures to raise awareness and change behavior. The model of "Plastic-reducing schools" has spread to 51 primary and secondary schools, attracting the participation of more than 155,000 teachers and students. The project has also successfully implemented the application of technology and smart solutions in solid waste management. In addition, through communication campaigns, activities have reached 1.1 million participants and recorded the participation of 127 businesses and business establishments in changing their behavior of using plastic and classifying waste at source...

In particular, the project contributes to promoting the formation and development of plastic-reducing tourism models in Hue City. Currently, 41 units, including hotels, travel agencies and restaurants, have signed a commitment to reduce plastic. 12 hotels have developed and implemented a Plastic Reduction Action Plan at the unit. 4 travel agencies have committed and are currently implementing plastic waste reduction tours. The project also successfully built a Community Plastic Reduction Tourism Destination in Thuy Bieu with 16 participating community facilities. At Hue tourism and heritage destinations, 9 waiting stations and free water dispensers have been put into operation to encourage people and tourists to reduce the use of disposable plastic.

People participate in activities under the Hue Project - Plastic-Free Cities in Central Vietnam. Photo: WWF-Vietnam

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Hoang Ngoc Tuong Van, Director of the Hue Project - Plastic-reducing City in Central Vietnam, said: "With the active support of local authorities, the enthusiastic participation of partners, local people and financial and technical support from Norwegian people, the project has successfully implemented plastic-reducing interventions and initiatives, exceeding expectations compared to the set targets. Through the initial achievements, the project expects Hue City to continue to effectively implement activities in the coming time, aiming to build Hue as a typical plastic-reducing city in Central Vietnam, a model for other cities to learn and develop".

Within the framework of this workshop, leaders of Thua Thien Hue province, Hue city, WWF-Vietnam and other units also exchanged, discussed, and evaluated the project implementation process, drawing lessons and good models to orient the plan to continue implementing and expanding the project in 2025.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/xay-dung-tp-hue-tro-thanh-hinh-mau-do-thi-giam-nhua-20241115134201268.htm