Ha Long City's women reduce plastic waste for a green life

Plastic Waste Reduction and Action Network and 3Rs (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle) co-developed by Ha Long Municipal Women’s Union and Center for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub) have proved the efficiency in collecting, classifying, and recycling plastic waste.

Women in Cao Xanh Ward collect and classify plastic waste

In June 2018, the project was piloted at 5 wards in Ha Long City, namely Ha Phong, Ha Trung, Cao Thang, Hong Hai, and Hong Gai. The first phase of the project ended in July 2019. In August, 2019, the 2nd phase was implemented and expanded to 20 communes and wards.

During the implementation of the project, the awareness of each staff, union’s member, and citizen has been significantly improved. They classify waste right at the home then bring recycled waste to the waste - gathering site for selling. The money collected from selling waste will be offered to disadvantaged families. 

Women in Ha Trung Ward produce baskets from string fasteners used at construction sites

Ha Long Municipal Women’s Union have organized more than 70 media workshops and training courses on environmental protection and plastic waste reduction. The model of “Classifying waste at home” and “Turning waste into money” attract the participation of more than 20,500 members and people doing business at markets, restaurants, hotels, tourism service providers, and students. The Union has also provided 2.2 tons of disposal nilon bags to sellers at Cot 3 Market in Hong Hai Ward. 

Besides, the union have produced more than 15,000 bio-bricks, 100 tables, chairs, and flower tubs from plastic bottles and used nilon bags, over 180 flower baskets and kindergarten toys from plastic waste. It has collected more than 700 plastic boxes for planting flowers, 100 car tires for streets of flowers, and maintained the model of “bringing basket to the market” with the participation of 5,300 members.

Ha Long Municipal Women's Union's stall at Quang Ninh OCOP Summer Fair 2020 introduced products made from recycled marterials

Women’s unions at some wards even have creative ways to reduce plastic waste. For example, Ha Phong Women’s Union makes baskets from string fasteners used at construction sites. Ha Trung, Ha Khau, and Ha Phong Women’s Unions participated in Quang Ninh OCOP Summer Fair 2020 and sold more than 300 products made from recycled materials. Meanwhile, Ha Khau Women’s Union opens shop at Bai Chay Tourist Area to sell products made from recycled plastic waste with the aim of popularizing these products to all domestic and international tourists.

Translated by Quynh Trang