Dialogue: Closing the policy gaps of plastic and plastic waste

With more than 60 participants from 60 delegates from authorities  on the environment, press/media agencies, businesses, environmental networks, social organizations, youth and vulnerable groups. This is the 9th activity within the framework of the project "Female journalist with collective impact for reducing plastic pollution and plastic waste” initiated by VSF and is the only representative of Vietnam to receive funding from the Earth Journalism Network in 2022.

The main objective of the dialogue is to share information on the current situation of plastic pollution and plastic waste in Vietnam and the impact of plastic waste on human health; Strengthen cooperation mechanism among stakeholders in reducing plastic pollution and plastic waste; Recommendations for policies and advocacy communication to reduce and recycle plastic waste in Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening of the Dialogue, Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Trang - Director of VSF said: "We hope that the event will be a bridge connecting the parties to get more information and together find appropriate solutions on the journey of changing people's awareness and forming habits of a civilized lifestyle, and above all, protecting the environment for sustainable development ò Vietnam".

Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Trang - Director of VSF speaks at the opening

At the event, issues about policy, current status and impacts of plastic waste on the environment and public health, difficulties in the working process of reporters and journalists were shared and received a positive response.

The participants also discussed and made many specific recommendations, including: strong cooperation and involvement from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; raising public awareness about the  harms when using plastic bags and plastic items; mobilizing people to "say no to plastic bags" and actively sort waste at the source. Along with that, state management agencies need to increase taxes and licensing, strictly control the production of plastic products; Say no to importing waste from abroad for reusing; At the same time, It is necessary to have specific guidance for regulations related to recycling responsibility and manufacturer's handling responsibility to apply in the real life.

A small exhibition space was organized by units and organizations to display "green" products such as: a school model made of bricks recycled from plastic waste of Intraco company; products of cloth bags, straws, spoons and plastic bags from biological materials, sustainable development report of TH Group; shopping bags, jewelry recycled from fishing nets, food shells, etc. from the PHA network; Report on plastic waste of the National Plastic Action Partnership Vietnam (NPAP).

Project “Female Journalist with collective impact for reducing plastic pollution and plastic waste” is initiated by VSF and is the only representative of Vietnam to receive funding from the Earth Journalism Network in 2022. In addition, the project also received the companionship of Tetra Pak Vietnam Joint Stock Company and the implementation coordination of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), Vietnam Business for Environment Alliance (VB4E), Plastics and Health Action Partnership (PHA).