It wasn’t always like this. Back in 1990, plastic was barely a thing here. Fast forward to today, and it’s millions of tons every year. Because of this explosion in plastic use, Vietnam now ranks as one of the world’s biggest contributors to ocean plastic pollution. Most of this trash just sits in landfills, eating up space, poisoning the soil and water, and releasing toxic gases. On top of that, waste management just can’t keep up, especially in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, where the trash piles up faster than anyone can deal with it. The government knows how serious the problem is, but turning big ideas into real action has been slow and difficult for Vietnam. Environmental sustainability is one of the four main barriers holding back human development in Vietnam. It affects everything—public health, quality of life, etc. This problem links directly to Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Target 12.5 is all about slashing waste by 2030, with Indicator 12.5.1 tracking how much material actually gets recycled. Right now, Vietnam’s recycling rate sits at a measly 10%, nowhere near where it needs to be, so we need to make a change and improvement. Asia dumps about 7 million tons of plastic into the ocean every year, and Vietnam plays a big role in that. Studies show that plastic pollution in Vietnamese waters harms over 1,000 marine species—hurting biodiversity and hitting fishing communities. Groups like the Vietnam Plastic Action Partnership (VPAP) are trying to turn things around. They’re trying to cut single-use plastics and improve waste management by working with local communities and governments. Still, it’s a very difficult problem that Vietnam is facing.

That’s why our group’s mission is “Promoting Sustainable Waste Management Solutions to Foster Environmental Health and Community Well-Being.” We’re trying to come up with better products to help with better recycling programs and community education so Vietnam can finally get a handle on its plastic problem and move toward a healthier future for everyone in Hanoi and Vietnam.