Sources, Sinks and Solutions for Impacts of Plastics on Coastal Communities in Viet Nam

Lead Research Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Energy, Geosci, Infrast & Society

Abstract

The 3SIP2C project is focused on quantifying the types and amount of plastic waste entering the coastal margin of Vietnam, and understanding the pathways and destination of that plastic into the wider environment and marine life, and how this plastic impacts upon business activities such as aquaculture, fisheries, tourism and coastal communities. Vietnam's 3260 km coastline stretches across 28 coastal provinces and supports rural livelihoods that are engaged in coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture industries that are between them worth more than US$17 billion per year. These industries are themselves contributors to the plastic waste problem, but are also impacted by that waste, such that it represents a risk to civil society and business performance, health and safety.
Our project will focus on plastic waste comprised of large (>50 mm), macro- (5 - 50 mm) and micro-plastics (<5 mm). The project is organised into five work packages, with Capacity Building and Engagement acting as the unifying theme throughout our proposed science, policy and governance programme. Our work packages flow from a fundamental understanding of the physical processes that transport plastics into coastal areas using 3 dimensional particle tracking models that account for seasonal changes in transport processes, and that account for the effects of tides, waves and freshwater inundation on these processes. We will couple this with a broadscale sampling strategy designed to gain insight into the characteristics and quantities of those plastics and the contaminants that are transported into the coastal system. This will be linked to a work package focused primarily on understanding the impacts and causes of large plastics on businesses and civil society associated with coastal communities, which will involve engaging citizens in collection of data on the distribution of large plastic through 'fishing for plastic' and the use of App technology. We take a deeper dive into the pathways by which macro and micro-plastics interact with the environment and interact with organisms, particularly those relevant to businesses such as fisheries and aquaculture. We will use experiments to understand how those plastics and their associated contaminants relate to health and disease threats in e.g. coastal aquaculture systems. We will interrogate the existing national and international legislations and policies that address the issue of plastics in supply chains and investigate where shortcomings in the integration of policies leads to shortfalls in their successful implementation. Finally, using a broad suite of techniques such as discourse analysis, focus groups, round-table discussions, gamification and citizen science, we will greatly increase awareness of the issues associated with plastic pollution and the effective solutions that could reduce its occurrence or its impacts on society. This engagement will interface with citizens at local, regional and national levels, and with managers and Government officials in relevant ministries. This proposal is ambitious with a multidisciplinary team from 8 research institutions and 7 partners in Vietnam covering all regions of the coastline, and HWU in the UK. Our engagement, impact and delivery are further strengthened by strategic partnerships with the wider non-academic collaborations through retailers (The Cooperative, UK; Sainsbury's), major seafood importers and processors (Labeyrie Fine Foods - Lyons Seafood) and a Vietnamese business consortium (IDH-Vietnam) and Vietnamese NGOs Centre for Marine Life, Conservation & Community Development (MCD), and global NGOs the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). These partners provide the necessary access, expertise and impact translation to realise potential solutions that deliver demonstrable reductions in the causes and consequences of plastic waste in the environment.
 
Title 3D map Cat Ba Island 
Description 3D model map of Cat Ba Island for use in community engagement projects 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact This exercise was used in part as a team building and information exercise for students of Viet Nam National University. The model was and is being used in community engagement exercises to gather local ecological knowledge to inform modelling and other parts of the project. 
 
Title Plastic Exhibition 
Description The 3SIP2C project also exhibited artworks showcasing plastic issue, illustrating the actual data of compositions of various types of plastic waste collected at Giao Hai Beach, Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province. Additionally, the exhibition showcased products obtained through multiple community engagement activities to raise awareness and participations of the public about plastic waste. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact From 28/11 to 2/12/2023, the exhibition was presented to more than 100 participants who are researchers, government officers, policy makers participating in our event series. From 16/12/2023 - 7/3/2024, there were 5 international conferences with a total of 362 participants visit the "Plastic Art" at the Interdisciplinary Center for International Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province 
URL https://lessplasticvietnam.com/seeing-nam-dinh-through-plastic-art-3sip2c-tohe-collaboration
 
Description The project incurred considerable delay in starting due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of funds from the ODA. The project funding came back on stream in January 2022. Vietnam did not reopen its borders until April 2022 whereupon we were able to initiate our first visit to Viet Nam. Field work commenced in October 2022 with extensive environmental sampling of the Red River and coastal regions in the north of Viet Nam. Extensive outreach with local communities, student bodies, Government officials, and coastal businesses has occurred through workshops, focus groups and activities such as beach cleans and community mapping of plastic waste. As part of our environmental sampling we have tested the effectiveness of different techniques for sampling reliably microplastics in aquatic environments. This has led to important conclusions for field sampling methodology. Our initial engagement with communities has also revealed a number of interesting observations. Nevertheless we are still at the early stages of our field work and the second field trip is currently on-going at this time.

Our conclusions relating to environmental sampling of microplastic demonstrate that using a pump system to sample water at different heights in river systems out performs the use of different net devices. This relates to the consistency of sample efficiency of the pump system in contrast to the different catchabilities of different net systems that are used at different heights in the river. We anticipate being able to publish a methodology paper based on these findings and will adopt the more consistent pump system moving forward.

Initial observations that arise from community engagement point to the following conclusions. Firstly, it is clear that many people in Viet Nam society have no concept that plastic is problematic either for the environment or themselves. This indicates that education about the consequences of plastic waste is an important aspect of helping the Government deliver its policy agenda on plastic waste reduction. Government policies are implemented in different ways depending on the local context. This underlines that a single approach to solve environmental problems may not be appropriate and will need to adapt depending on what works best within a local context. There is considerable investment made by local communities in Cat Ba (a tourism hotspot) to combat the occurrence and impact of plastic to reduce damage to the local economy. Infrastructure remains a key limiting factor in recycling or disposing of collected plastic waste.

The environmental sampling has proved more time consuming than originally anticipated and we have collectively decided to prioritize the Red River Delta, Nam Dinh province and Cat Ba Island for this sampling and will review whether we can add in the Mekong Delta by summer 2023. Social science and engagement activities will continue to be undertaken across all sample locations.
Exploitation Route It remains too early in the project's active phase to be clear what the ultimate outcomes of the funding will be.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Education

Environment

Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

Government

Democracy and Justice

 
Description The 3SIP2C project is gaining momentum and recognition through the many and diverse engagements. We are applying for additional funds through the current UKRI SE Asia Aquaculture call with partners from the current consortium and also three other GCRF funded projects.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Policy & public services

 
Description Building a local sustainable supply chain network for recyclable material in medium sized cities in SE Asia
Amount £19,975 (GBP)
Funding ID 1736 
Organisation Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2022 
End 06/2024
 
Title In-situ experimental setup for investigating microplastics as carriers of pathogens, as well as their degradation and biofilm formation 
Description Crab cages have been adapted to conduct microplastics experiments in-situ whereby they will house several cylindrical metallic containers constructed using high-spec marine-grade metal mesh at defined pore sizes to hold microplastic particles of sizes 125 um to <5 mm. This setup will deployed at pre-defined marine locations to determine the fate of microplastics of different polymer types, including some of the most commonly found types found in Southeast Asia, including polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The deployments will be positioned at different depths in the water column and near aquaculture farms to assess the potential of the microplastics as carriers/vectors of pathogens as one of the main objectives. 
Type Of Material Biological samples 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This in-situ setup has already been trialed and tested on the east coast of Scotland and is now destined to be deployed during a field trip in Vietnam this April/May 2023. 
 
Title Feb-Mar 2023 field sample collection in VN 
Description This is a list of water and sediment samples, and how they were initially processed and stored, during a month-long sampling campaign in river, estuarine and coastal margins in east Viet Nam during February to March of 2023. The samples will be used for a variety of analyses that will examine the microbiology in waterways and sediments (polluted vs non-polluted) and associated with microplastics, as well as to analyse various geochemical parameters (e.g. DOM). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This set of samples is currently being expanded as the field trip is still ongoing. The impacts of this will be realised after the field trip comes to an end and the samples are analysed using a variety of microbial, molecular biology and geochemical methods. 
 
Description Collaboration Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) 
Organisation Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
Country Viet Nam 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof. Qingping Zou and Dr. Zhiling Liao collaborated with Dr. Vinh from IMRE at Hanoi to release satellite-tracked drifters from the coastal area of Red River Delta.
Collaborator Contribution Tracks of 3 drifters released from the south of Cat Ba island. Tracks of 3 drifters released from near the Hai Phong City. 144 water samples, 96 sediment samples and other physical oceanography data (water level, current profile, salinity and temperature, etc.) were collected.
Impact Successful field trip and collection of data
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with Can Tho University - Ha Noi and IMRE - Ha Noi and Tongji University 
Organisation Hanoi University
Country Viet Nam 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof. Qingping Zou and Dr. Zhiling Liao meet with Dr. Thanh from Can Tho University at Hanoi to build up relationship for collaboration in terms of field sampling and research activity. Prof. Qingping Zou and Dr. Zhiling Liao meet with Dr. Vinh from IMRE at Hanoi to build up relationship for collaboration in terms of field sampling and research activity. Prof. Qingping Zou, and Dr. Zhiling Liao have met with Profs. Cuiping Kuang and Daidu Fan at Tongji University to discuss the overall project and delft 3D model input data and implementation
Collaborator Contribution Taking time to meet our team, committing to participate in 3SIP2C at collaborators
Impact Commitment to collaborate over the next 2 years.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Heriot-Watt - ITS - Phenikaa MoU 
Organisation Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS)
Country Indonesia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Heriot Watt University led a tripartite MoU agreement and used this as a platform to win £20 000 to run a lectureship series focused on the circular economy
Collaborator Contribution Partners have jointly participated in the lectureship series and hosted two visits by Heriot Watt University staff
Impact Lectureship series using on-line facilities
Start Year 2023
 
Description Beach clean 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Beach cleaning event in Hai Hau with Phenikaa University students and the Vietnam One Health network
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description EBNet Early Career Researchers Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact EBNet Early Career Researchers Conference, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
Jennifer Scott presented poster on "Plastisphere of coastal Vietnamese waters: biofilm development and biodegradation potential" to fellow ECRs interested in Environmental Biotechnology and it's applications
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Facebook page for 3SIP2C 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Presenting project activities to .109 post, 37196 reach (view), 2764 likes, 317 comment, 88 share, 544 followers. Of those 63.2% is women and 36.8% is men
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.facebook.com/3sip2c
 
Description Meeting Giao Thuy people's committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Field survey in Nam Dinh coinciding with meeting with Giao Thuy people's committee and Xuan Thuy national park management board
Attendees: 3SIP2C project members, vice president of the Giao Thuy people committee, chairmen of different communes of Giao Thuy district.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting Lan Ha Bay Management Board 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Meet with the Lan Ha Bay Management Board to determine the area's main plastic waste challenges and waste management strategy.
- Participatory observation and interview with waste collectors in the Lan Ha Bay area.
- Attendees: 2 project members; the vice chairman and technical officer of the Lan Ha Bay Management Board; and 5 waste collectors from 2 boats collecting domestic solid waste and floating debris in the bay.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Cat Hai people's committee 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Meeting with Cat Hai people committee, Viet Hai people committee
Attendees: project members, officers from Cat Hai People committee, department of Natural resources, Cat Ba National Park officers

Sharing information with local authorities about intentions of the project, seeking support, organizing visits to local study sites
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Lan Ha Bay management board 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact - Meet with the Lan Ha Bay Management Board to determine the area's main plastic waste challenges and waste management strategy.
- Participatory observation and interview with waste collectors in the Lan Ha Bay area.
- Attendees: 2 project members; the vice chairman and technical officer of the Lan Ha Bay Management Board; and 5 waste collectors from 2 boats collecting domestic solid waste and floating debris in the bay.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Meeting with Xuan Thuy National Park officials 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Formal meeting to introduce the project, its aims and intentions, followed by site visit in preparation for field sampling.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Microplastics for Early Career Researchers workshop, Ascona, Switzerland 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Microplastics for Early Career Researchers workshop, Ascona, Switzerland
Jennifer Scott presented poster on "Plastisphere of coastal Vietnamese waters: biofilm development and biodegradation potential" to fellow ECRs actively researching microplastics in different ways (sources, solutions, understanding impacts)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Phenikaa University British Council exchange visit to Heriot Watt University 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The 3SIP2C project co-PI Dr Ngo and the Vice President of Phenikaa University visited Heriot Watt University to explore further collaboration on research and teaching
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/LyellCentre/status/1585963264521175040
 
Description Phenikaa University student workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Workshop convened at Phenikaa University with project partners to understand student perceptions of plastic and to share knowledge
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Plastic conference organised by 3SIP2C 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Plastic Conference: The conference was attended by more than 100 delegates including scientists, managers, and experts from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations working in the fields of earth sciences, environment, policy, and fisheries. The programme and abstracts of the presentations at the conference are available here.
Researchers of the 3SIP2C project presented interdisciplinary research results through 2 keynote presentations and 8 conference presentations to more than 100 participants, providing multidimensional perspectives on plastic issues from the fields of environmental sciences, eco-toxicology, socio-economics, community engagement, and policy-governance.
List of presentations at the conference :
-Opening remarks: Plastic dialogue. Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong
-Keynote: The global plastic challenge. Prof. Thomas Wagner.
-Keynote: Distribution and characteristics of microplastics across a large river basin: A ?rst comprehensive study in the Red River delta and Cat Ba island. Dr Ngo Thi Thuy Huong
-Plastic Litter Impact on Water-Atmosphere Gas Exchange. Dr. Sevda Norouzi.
-Citizen science in the study of plastic waste distribution in coastal areas. Dr. Giang Van Trong .
-Microplastics in the waters of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam: Potential vectors for hazardous contaminants posing a risk to the ecosystem. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong
-Evaluation of the microplastic presence and their potential risks: A preliminary study in Phu Ly, Ha Nam. Dr. Le Thanh Thao
-Youth Engagement in Plastics Research: Lessons, limitations and opportunities in applying multidisciplinary engagement methods to cultivate intergenerational knowledge exchange and action for plastics solutions in Vietnam. Dr Vu Kim Chi
-Economic and social cost of plastic waste on the ?sheries industry in Viet Nam. Trinh Quang Tu
-From national targets to local actions in reducing marine plastic wastes: A case study of Viet Nam. Dr. Nguyen Sy Linh
-Evaluating the relationship between antibiotics resistance microbes and microplastics collected in the Red River delta, Vietnam. Vo Hoai Hieu
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.icisequynhon.com/conferences/2023/iVCEES-2023
 
Description Presentation and reception UK Embassy Ha Noi 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Reception networking event and project presentation at the UK Embassy Ha Noi
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Project Youtube channel 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Youtube set up to publish our video diaries from our research and engagement activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.youtube.com/@3sip2c
 
Description Project launch ceremony 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Formal project launch and MoU signing - gave formal presentation. Vietnamese Minister for the Environment attended the event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://ecetlab.phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/lab-news/seminars-workshop/launch-ceremony-project-3sip2c
 
Description Project launch news feature 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact TV news story broadcast
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIxExa9TMA
 
Description Project logo competition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact We ran a competition to design a logo for the project and use on the project website, marketing and outreach materials.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://lessplasticvietnam.com/
 
Description Project website 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Professionally designed and maintained website (Mindfully Wired) which is bilingual with blog posts, new, science updates
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://lessplasticvietnam.com/
 
Description Roundtable discussion on plastic waste management policies "Plastic Dialogue" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Dr. Nguyen Sy Linh (ISPONRE) and Dr. Ingrid Kelling (Heriot-Watt University), attracted a diverse range of participants to discuss and consult on solutions and policies for sustainable management of plastic waste in Viet Nam. Representatives participating in the roundtable consultation included the Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee, the Binh Dinh Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Nam Dinh Province, the Management Board of Cat Ba Bay, the Management Board of Xuan Thuy National Park, the Management Board of Cat Ba National Park, the Vietnam Recycling Association, the Circular Economy Network, and the Thua Thien Hue Innovation Hub.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Workshop "Guidelines for waste classification and accessing the model of breeding black soldier fly larvae to reduce the amount of organic waste into the environment" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dr Ngo Thi Thuy Huong presented presentation about the impact of microplastic on human and ecosystem health. Dr Nguyen Thi Hanh Tien presented presentation about the current status of waste management and solution to reduce plastic and municipal solid waste management.
Sharing information about the impact of microplastic on human and ecosystem health, the current status of waste management and solution to reduce plastic and municipal solid waste management (100 participant of Ð?ng Hoá commune, Kim B?ng district, Hà Nam province
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Workshop at VNU-SSSH (the School of Social Sciences and Humanities) on a future with less plastic 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Organised the workshop at VNU-SSSH (the School of Social Sciences and Humanities) on a future with less plastic: exploring the path of plastic and human ecology in Vietnam

Understanding student's perception about plastic and knowledge sharing
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction
- Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes
- Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management
- Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places
Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE

Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction
Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level
Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste
Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction
- Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes
- Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management
- Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places
Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE

Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction
Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level
Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste
Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction
- Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes
- Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management
- Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places
Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE

Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction
Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level
Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste
Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022