Scientists across the globe are increasingly finding wildlife that has been killed after ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic. Ninety percent of sea birds, for example, have been found to have plastic in their bellies. And the problem is only getting worse: The estimated 19 billion pounds of plastic that ends up in the ocean every year is expected to double by 2025. These plastics will not only kill more animals; they’ll decimate coral reefs, and damage human health as microplastics enter the food chain. They’ll create more and bigger dead zones where nothing can live, harm biodiversity, and change ecosystems (the New Republic Magazine).
According to a Vietnamese expert at the seminar held on 19 April 2018 by the Consulate General of the United States in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam generates nearly 18,000 tons of plastic waste a day and only a small proportion of plastic waste in Vietnam has been recycled, and the rest still exists in the environment, particularly makes all the way to the ocean. Plastic pollution have been becoming a real and more and more serious environmental problem of Viet Nam.
The Government of Viet Nam so far has been aware of the seriousness of existing plastic pollution situation. Accordingly, efforts have been recently made by the government to deal with the problem. In regard to policy development, the amended National strategy on integrated management of solid waste to 2025, vision to 2050 submitted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has been approved by the Prime Minister. The strategy sets out the objective of “using 100% environmentally friendly plastic bags at department stores, super markets by 2025”. At the same time, MONRE is currently carrying out a project on controlling domestic plastic bags induced pollution with an aim to reduce the use of plastic bags and moving towards ceasing the import, production and supply of plastic bags from 2026 at department stores, super markets. In addition to those efforts, consumers are also required to be responsible for collecting, classifying waste. People are encouraged to use more environmentally friendly products.
MONRE is enhancing communication activity to raise people’s awareness on reducing plastic use and replacing plastic products with more environmentally friendly ones. At present, MONRE is in cooperation with development partners and related ministries and sectors prepare for a side event with theme “Marine Plastic Pollution” within the framework of the Six Global Environment Facility Assembly, to be organized in Da Nang city in coming June. This event is considered to be significant importance to Viet Nam, showing its role and position as well as active contribution in international forums, particularly in the field of environment and climate change.
Hoang Xuan Huy