New regulation about plastic waste management

Single-use and non-biodegradable plastic bags are becoming increasingly popular. The 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP establishes a plan for reducing the manufacture and import of single-use plastic items and plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade, as well as products and goods containing microplastics.

Figure 1 (Internet source)

Increased plastic waste management

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2020 Coastal Plastic Waste Monitoring and Evaluation Program Report, Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest amount of solid waste discharged into the sea in the world (out of 20 countries surveyed); each year, the figures into the sea is approximately 0.28 - 0.73 million tons, equivalent to 6% of total ocean plastic waste. Every single day, only 02 major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, release around 80 tons of plastic and difficult-to-degrade plastic bags into the environment.

Figure 2 (Internet source)

Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue, with only 11-12% of plastic bags being treated and recycled. The rest is buried, burned, and disposed of. Residential and public consumption waste is unclassified at the source, while plastic and nylon bags collected from households, markets, and public areas are transported and treated alongside residential solid waste.

The Law on Environmental Protection 2020 has allocated 01 from 73 articles stipulating that organizations and individuals are responsible for limiting the use, reduction, sorting, and disposal of waste as single-use plastic products and difficult-to-biodegrade plastic packaging as prescribed and do not discharge plastic waste directly into drainage systems, ponds, or bodies of water.

Plastic waste from tourism, marine economy, oil and gas, mining, and agriculture must be collected, stored, and transferred to a recycling and treatment facility.

The law provides preferences and support for eco-friendly items, single-use plastic replacement products, and certified biodegradable plastic packaging materials.

As required by Law, plastic waste must be collected, segregated for reuse, recycled, or disposed of. Non-recyclable plastic waste must be handled at a controlled facility. Plastic waste caused by commercial activity at sea must be collected for reuse, recycling, or treatment before being thrown into the sea.

Vietnam encourages the reuse and recycling of plastic wastes for the production of goods, construction materials, and transportation works; encourages research and development of systems for collecting and handling plastic waste floating in the sea and oceans; and has policies to promote the reuse of plastic waste.

The Provincial People's Committee directs the collection and treatment of plastic waste on the ground; promotes and advocates the use of biodegradable plastic packaging and single-use plastic products; and promotes the harmful effects of fishing gear dumped directly into the sea and plastic waste on the ecosystem.

The Vietnamese Government has a roadmap to restrict the production of imported disposable plastics, biodegradable plastic packaging, and products containing microplastics.

After 2030, disposable plastic products will not be used.

Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP also establishes a timetable for limiting imports of single-use plastic items, biodegradable plastic packaging, and products containing microplastics. As a result, beginning January 1, 2026, no manufacture or import of biodegradable leather bags with dimensions less than 50 cm x 50 cm and a film thickness of less than 50 m will be permitted, except for export or production, import for packaging of products, goods for sale on the market.

Organizations and people that manufacture and import single-use plastic items and biodegradable plastic packaging shall recycle and handle them in line with the rules of this Decree.

Reduced manufacturing and import of throwaway plastic items, biodegradable plastic packaging, and products containing microplastics. After December 31, 2030, cease production, imports of single-use plastic products (excluding products certified with the Vietnam Ecolabel), bio-degradable plastic packaging (including bio-degradable plastic bags, plastic crates, and food containers), and products containing microplastics, except for manufacture for export and manufacturing, import of biodegradable plastics packaging for product packaging, marketable items.

The Provincial People's Committee has implemented regulations and organized plastic waste management operations to ensure no single-use plastic products are circulated after 2025 and bio-degradable plastic packaging is used in commercial centers, supermarkets, hotels, and tourist areas. Inspections are also conducted on units producing one-time plastic products and bio-disruptive plastic packages on the ground.

Thus, according to the above regulation, plastic glasses and disposable plastic products will no longer be used throughout the country after 2030 (except for products certified with the Vietnam Ecolabel).

Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment