Marine plastic pollution is an increasingly serious issue (Photo: Wired)
Hanoi (VNA) – As proposed by the General Director of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has promoted the implementation of the national action plan for marine plastic waste management by 2030.
Particular actions will be taken to apply the 5R model – renew, refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle – while putting into operation an international centre on marine plastic debris in Vietnam.
Saying “no” to single-use plastic products
According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan, the most important action to limit marine debris is to boost communications to raise public awareness and change people’s behaviour towards plastic products and marine plastics.
Therefore, for each period, MoNRE and its subordinate agencies will study, build and implement projects communicating the harmful effects of single-use plastic products like non-degradable plastic bags on seas and oceans, marine ecosystems, the environment, and human health, he said.
Relevant authorities will effectively carry out the “Say no to single-use plastic products and non-degradable plastic bags” movement while giving timely commendation and rewards to role models in the reduction of marine plastic debris.
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In addition, MoNRE will increase communications and the application of the 5Rs in production activities, services, and the daily life, Ngan noted.
Compared to the previous 3R model (reduce, reuse, recycle), the 5Rs are believed to help curb even more plastic waste.
The national action plan on marine plastic waste management encourages the building and implementation of activities, the launch of startups, the realisation of green initiatives for plastic waste recycle and reuse, the use of environmentally friendly materials, the development of a circular economy, and green growth.
To bolster plastic waste reduction efforts, MoNRE plans to organise several national campaigns on waste collection and beach clean-ups at least twice a year. It will also conduct surveys, classification and assessment of marine plastics sources in the mainland, at sea, and on islands.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Integrated solutions and measures for the management of river basins, coastal cities, and river mouths will be implemented while the control and management of waste discharge into water sources will be enhanced.
Strengthening cooperation among regions and countries
Another priority for MoNRE will be the national action plan on marine plastic waste management to reinforce international cooperation in the study, development, application, and transfer of waste treatment technologies, as marine plastic debris is an issue involving different regions and countries.
The ministry will maintain and boost international cooperation, implement Vietnam’s suggested marine plastic initiatives, and establish priorities and potential partners to foster cooperative relations.
Development of an international centre on marine plastic debris in Vietnam and the building, operation and management of marine plastics monitoring systems will be carried out.
MoNRE will also review and build mechanisms for marine debris management, launch a study on the role and responsibility of the packaging industry so as to make an expanded responsibility framework for producers, and devise support policies for encouraging organisations and businesses to produce and use green, recycled and environmentally friendly products.
Another task in the implementation plan will be to carry out, monitor and assess the realisation of the Prime Minister’s Decision 1746/QD-TTg and build annual and five-year reports on the implementation outcomes of the national action plan on marine plastic waste management./.
| The Prime Minister issued the national action plan on marine plastic waste management on December 4, 2019. By 2030, the country’s action plan aims to reduce 75 percent of plastic waste in the ocean, have 100 percent of lost or discarded fishing tools collected, and eradicate the direct discharge of fishing tools into the ocean. Vietnam hopes all tourist sites, tourist accommodation establishments and other tourism service providers in coastal areas will not use disposable plastic products or non-biodegradable plastic bags. Meanwhile, all coastal nature reserves will become free of plastic waste by 2030. The country will also increase monitoring annually and every five years to assess marine plastic pollution in various river mouths in 11 of the main river basins as well as 12 island districts. |
