Single use plastic

Authorities on Co To Island off Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam announced a pilot program to ban visitors from bringing plastic products onto the island starting September in an attempt to spur sustainable tourism. Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper last week, Nguyen Viet Dung, chairman of the Co To District People’s Committee, said the trial to forbid visitors from bringing plastic bottles, plastic bags, and materials carrying a risk of environmental pollution will last for several months. Local authorities will then move toward the official implementation of this regulation since the island district's basic services are now completely prepared to accommodate the needs of tourists. “All of the island district's services and facilities are now fully accessible, but many tourists still bring single-use plastic products, putting a great deal of environmental strain on Co To,” Dung said. He added that in order to effectively implement this regulation, Co To District … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Co To Island to ban single-use plastic from next month

From September 1 they will be required to leave plastic behind before they get on ferries at Van Don Wharf to go to the island, according to the district's portal. Nguyen Viet Dung, chairman of the district, said the ban would be trialed for a few months before it becomes official. With the target of turning the island into an eco-tourism destination and make tourism sustainable, authorities have in recent years called on local people to limit the use of plastic products and opt for environment-friendly replacements. The island district has yet to impose a ban on local residents using plastic products. Situated around 80 kilometers from the mainland, Co To is famous for its pristine islets and primeval forests and access used to be strictly controlled due to its proximity to the Chinese border. Cu Lao Cham, or Cham Islands, a protected area treasured for its biosphere near Hoi An in central Vietnam, has prohibited visitors from bringing plastic bags since 2009. … [Read more...] about Vietnam tourist island to ban single-use plastics

Paper straws and glass cups are now used at all restaurants and outlets on the island instead of plastic ones. With a wide range of rare and valuable flora and fauna, the island was recognised as a world biosphere by UNESCO in 2009. Since then, islanders have paid due regard to cutting the consumption of single-use plastic bags . Most recently, dozens of business households signed a commitment to use environmentally-friendly products rather than plastic products. As part of efforts to minimise the impact of tourism on the island, local authorities have limited the number of daily arrivals to 3,000. They have also worked closely with travel companies to develop eco-tourism products and promote the “Cham Island says no to plastic waste by 2025” project. Zero waste ” tour is to be piloted shortly, offering visitors a kaleidoscope of experiences in local culture and waste treatment processes. The two-day, one-night tour is expected to raise awareness about environmental … [Read more...] about Cham Island striving to become plastic-waste-free tourism site

Members of Nam Dinh province’s youth union and officials from the Xuan Thuy National Park pick up trash on the beach in Giao Hai commune, Giao Thuy district. (Illustrative photo - Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - UNESCO and The Coca Cola Foundation launched a project themed “ Youth Initiative Ideas for an Ocean without Plastic 2022” at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 10 in response to World Youth Day (August 12). The project is being implemented within the framework of the “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” project launched in 2020. Lasting from August this year to July 2023, it aims to support and empower young people as key change makers for the sustainable future of the seas. It encourages young people to develop creative ideas, solutions with high practical application, and apply science and technology focusing on the fields of collection, classification, reduction, treatment, recycling, and reuse of plastic waste, especially single-use plastics. Winning ideas and solutions … [Read more...] about UNESCO programme calls for youth initiatives for plastic-free oceans

The model is expected to be gradually replicated in other entertainment venues in the city after its initial success. The Phu Quoc District People’s Committee and WWF-Vietnam launched a model project of reducing plastic waste at tourist destinations, as part of the drive to become a plastic-free island. The launch of tourist trash cans is expected to encourage the habit of sorting and disposing of garbage on-site. Photo: VOV Under the project, there are 12 sets of tourist trash cans and two public drinking water fountains have been made available in some venues on the island, of which four trash cans were installed in Dinh Cau Temple and Bach Dang Park, and another eight were placed in Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Ward, with a total cost of nearly VND800 million (US$34,296) sponsored by WWF-Vietnam. Dinh Cau Temple and Bach Dang Park are among the most favorite destinations for tourists and locals, so these places receive the largest amount of single-use … [Read more...] about Phu Quoc, WWF-Vietnam launch plastic waste reduction model at tourist destinations

The project is being implemented within the framework of the “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” project launched in 2020. Lasting from August this year to July 2023, it aims to support and empower young people as key change makers for the sustainable future of the seas. It encourages young people to develop creative ideas, solutions with high practical application, and apply science and technology focusing on the fields of collection, classification, reduction, treatment, recycling, and reuse of plastic waste, especially single-use plastics. Winning ideas and solutions are expected to be piloted in the Cat Ba Archipelago World Biosphere Reserve in Hai Phong from June 2023 with a possibility to be replicated throughout the northern port city. Groups of Vietnamese youngsters aged 18-35 are eligible to participate in the project. Speaking at the ceremony, UNESCO representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart said UNESCO recognizes the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to prevent, … [Read more...] about UNESCO program calls for youth initiatives for plastic-free oceans