Tiếng ViệtThe project “Ocean without Plastic: Plastic Recycling Program for Strong Community and Green City” (October 2017 – April 2019) was launched in Da Nang by the Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) with the sponsor from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The overall goal of the project is to raise awareness and change the behavior regarding domestic waste recycling, keeping the ocean away from plastic pollution through the effective promotion of community-based plastic waste recycling programs. The project was conducted in Son Tra district and Thanh Khe district based on cooperation with district environmental management agencies, Women’s Unions in wards and local universities to provide community training courses, attracting people participation.
The project “Ocean without plastic” has ended with countless positive results. Throughout 20 months, 160 training and communication programs were organized; 138.840 locals had access to information and increased their understanding of plastic pollution; 77 ships committed not to dispose of waste into the ocean; 169 initiatives/models; over 21.000 households started waste segregation, collecting 7.690kg of plastics, 192.639 aluminum cans, 14.127 kg of cardboard, 4.045kg of other waste resources; a fund of 94 million VND was raised, contributing to reducing the city’s pressure of waste treatment and raising the community’s awareness. The implementation methodologies and lessons learned from the project were highly appreciated by local partners in Da Nang.
The results and lessons of the project were documented and presented in the closing conference of the “Ocean without Plastic” project in Da Nang, along with sharing good results and practices with central coastal provinces on May 18, 2019. It can be said that the good practices that brought positive results from the “Ocean without Plastic” project are creating new opportunities for central coastal provinces and cities to come up with more solutions as well as ways to mobilize the community and practice segregation and chain waste management. Many economic management models supported by this project were maintained and expanded, notably the waste segregation model by Tho Quang ward Women’s Union in Son Tra district, Da Nang (for more details on the model, visit:https://www.facebook.com/100015160219351/posts/1385313215317339/?d=n)
