SCG and Long Son Petrochemicals promote waste segregation awareness

SCG and Long Son Petrochemicals promote waste segregation awareness among the younger generation

With rapid growth and urbanisation, Vietnam has faced a sharp increase in waste. Each year, Vietnam creates more than 15 million tons of waste, which is equal to 3.8 kilograms of waste per capita. About 70 per cent of waste is dumped in centralised landfills, while the volume of waste increases very quickly, causing pressure on the environment and society from an overload with garbage. As a result, waste management and treatment has been a significant problem in Vietnam in the past few years.

Spurred by the corporate's pledge to sustainable development, SCG and LSP have signed an MoU with Unilever Vietnam, Dow Viet Nam, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2020 to build a public-private collaboration towards a circular economy in plastic waste management in Vietnam. Within the framework of the collaboration, SCG and LSP have launched the Waste Rescue project to drive action and awareness around waste segregation for recycling, a simple yet effective way to tackle the increasing waste problem.

The project was first piloted at Long Song 1 and 2 primary schools in Ba Ria-Vung Tau in 2020, where students were taught proper waste segregation at a very young age. The pilot project has been successful in educating young children about environmental issues and waste segregation mindsets, as well as enlisting the help of teachers and families, with the goal of involving the entire community in the later stages.

"The signing of the MoU is a testament to our commitment to bringing positive changes to the environment as well as creating a driving force for sustainable economic development in Vietnam," said Thanapat Kaweetraiphop, commercial director at Long Son Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. "A circular economy focuses on reusing, renewing, and recycling materials and products to extend their life cycle and add value. Therefore, SCG and LSP aim to develop a circular economy model that increases the recycling rate in Vietnam to help the country secure a more sustainable future."

Proper waste separation not only minimises the amount of waste discharged into the environment but also saves resources, enhances recycling, and preserves the environment. SCG and LSP have been implementing waste segregation at school as part of the "make-use-return" principle of the circular economy model to save the planet.

"The accomplishments achieved over last year are the main driving force for SCG and LSP to continue our environmental protection efforts. That's why we initiated the Waste Rescue mission to call for the participation of the young generation. Together, we can create a better world." he added.

SCG and LSP have been implementing waste segregation at school as part of the "make-use-return" principle of the circular economy model to save the planet

To facilitate the goal, SCG and LSP have expanded the scope of the Waste Rescue project to reach the younger generation in Vietnam, who are increasingly raising their voices to protect the future of the planet. Among them, Gen Z has emerged as a population increasingly worthy of attention, especially now as its older members enter young adulthood. Facing difficult circumstances that shaped their upbringings, Gen Z has placed its top priority on sustainability to improve the planet.

Through the Waste Rescue project, SCG and LSP have run online contests on several social networking sites to encourage waste segregation and recycling among digitally native Gen Z. The contests, which range from the DIY Waste Segregation Challenge to a photo contest, featured media influencers to attract more young people’s interest.

SCG and LSP is also organising an online photo contest titled Less Waste – More Green on SCG Vietnam’s fanpage from December 27 to January 10. The contest encourages young people to take pictures of their actions to minimise waste and win some prizes.

Another exciting activity is DIY Waste Segregation Challenge with blogger Sunhuyn. Participants can use unused items such as paper, plastic containers, and metal to recycle them into eco-friendly handmade decorations without spending too much money. After completing the recycled product, they can also join the photo contest to receive prizes from SCG.

With the orientation of sustainable development, SCG and LSP wish to become pioneers in the application of the circular economy in waste management in Vietnam, starting with waste segregation at schools. Therefore, the group engaged with Vietnamese young people to turn waste into usable materials and products and ensure a greener and cleaner environment for the next generations.