On 7 March, the Centre of Environment and Community Research (CECR) launched the ‘Plastic Free Ocean - a Solid Waste Recycling, Classification and Collection Programme for Health Community and Green City’ project in Da Nang.

Residents in Thanh Khe District’s Xuan Ha Ward using rubbish storage bags (in green) which are provided by the district’s Natural Resources and the Environment Office

The project aims to develop a waste classification system based on community, encourage residents to recycle and reuse plastic waste, enhance the city’s solid waste management capacity, and help to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

Funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the project is now underway in Son Tra and Thanh Khe districts from March 2018 to April 2019.

In Son Tra District, the project is implementing on a trial basis in residential areas in the wards of An Hai Dong, An Hai Tay, Nai Hien Dong, and Tho Quang.

Within the framework of the project, the Son Tra District authorities and CECR co-organised the Earth Day 2018 at the Tho Quang Beach on 22 April.

This year’s event attracted over 300 government employees and residents across the district, along with more than 700 members from voluntary clubs and organisations in the city.

They became actively involved in swapping recyclable waste for recycled products, cleaning up beaches, and attending an exhibition themed ‘A Journey of Plastic Waste’.

Ms Dang Thuy Trang, coordinator of the project in Son Tra District, noted that the Earth Day 2018 was held successfully. The event realised its target of raising public awareness of classifying and recycling garbage, and keeping plastic rubbish off beaches.

Also, within the framework of the project, over 2,000 representatives from local agencies and associations, the city-based armed forces and residents in Son Tra District joined forces to clean up areas nearby the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf and the Man Quang Bay. As a result, over 30 tonnes of rubbish were collected.

In addition, the Tho Quang Ward authorities, the district’s Natural Resources and the Environment Office and CECR together implemented the ‘Collection of rubbish at home’ and ‘Green Houses, Green Gates’ models in the residential area Thanh Vinh 4.

In Thanh Khe District, the ‘Plastic Free Ocean’ model is being implemented on a trial basis in Xuan Ha Ward until the end of this month. After that, the model will be expanded into other wards in the district.

Besides, a pilot programme on setting up separate collections of waste: paper; plastic; metal; is being deployed in Tam Thuan and Thac Giang wards. The programme is under the management of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Moreover, CECR has publicised the ‘Plastic Free Ocean’ project amongst restaurants and hotels in the city where a large number of nylon and plastic bags, and disposable plastic cups and straws, are used.

In late October, a ‘Recycling Festive Day’ and a contest to make products from recycled materials are expected to be held in Son Tra District.

In the coming time, CECR will work with the municipal Youth Union (YU) to raise public awareness about keeping plastic rubbish off beaches, and protecting environment.

The event is predicted to attract 150 members from 34 YU organisations, and 56 wards and communes across the city.

A contest to seek initiatives for rescuing sea from plastic pollution, and a launching ceremony for the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2018, will take place in the city soon.