Waste Recycling in Vietnam: Failing to Meet Targets, Huge Potential for CO2 Reductions
Vietnam is grappling with the challenge of waste management and recycling, with significant implications for CO2 emissions and environmental sustainability. Despite the immense potential for reducing carbon footprint through waste recycling, the country has struggled to meet its targets. Currently, approximately 60,000 tonnes of waste are generated each day in Vietnam, but only 15 percent of this waste is collected, recycled, or reused.
Efforts have been made to address this issue, such as the recent Green Festival held in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in honor of World Environment Day. However, despite various waste recycling projects being launched, none have been considered successful. The key factor behind this failure is the lack of effective waste sorting at the source, which is essential for optimal economic and environmental outcomes. Most waste-sorting-at-source schemes in Vietnam are only pilot programs and have not yielded sustainable results.
Vietnam’s Environment Protection Law of 2020 does require waste sorting at the source, but there have been limited actions taken to enforce this regulation. While administrative punishments for not sorting waste at the source were implemented in August 2022, enforcement has been lacking. This lack of action has contributed to the failure of waste recycling initiatives in the country.
Plastic recycling holds significant promise in Vietnam. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, recycling one tonne of plastic can save 3.8 oil barrels, in addition to reducing overhead costs. However, despite approximately 3.9 million tonnes of plastic waste being generated annually in Vietnam, only 33 percent of this waste is recycled. This results in the loss of over $2 billion worth of materials each year.
The low recycling rate for plastic waste in Vietnam is attributed to several factors, including inadequate waste sorting at the source, the collection of only high-value plastic waste, small-scale recycling operations, outdated recycling technologies, the production of low-quality recycled products, and a lack of interest from large recycling businesses in domestic plastic waste.
Vietnam is among the top 17 nations globally when it comes to releasing plastic waste into the ocean. Therefore, effective plastic waste recycling is crucial to address pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save costs associated with importing plastic pellets and end-products. In 2021, the domestic plastic industry in Vietnam had to import $11 billion of virgin plastic resin and $8 billion of plastic end-products or semi-end products.
To tackle these challenges, it is imperative to invest in advanced, low-cost technologies for plastic recycling that are suitable for Vietnam’s capacity and conditions. This investment will also drive the development of mechanical engineering for recycling equipment, creating millions of job opportunities.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi An, Head of the Institute for Natural Resources, Environment, and Community Development, emphasizes the importance of making financial aid more accessible to plastic recycling projects through simplified regulations for sponsors. The government’s support can be demonstrated through green purchases and the labelling of recycled plastic products. Concurrently, a community-led propaganda campaign is necessary to raise awareness and encourage active participation in waste recycling.
In conclusion, waste recycling in Vietnam faces significant challenges, with immense implications for greenhouse gas emissions and environmental sustainability. While the country has not yet achieved its waste recycling targets, there is enormous potential for CO2 reductions and economic benefits through proper waste management. Efforts must be focused on effective waste sorting at the source, investing in advanced recycling technologies, and promoting a culture of recycling among the public. By doing so, Vietnam can move towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
