With the aim of raising public awareness about the dangers of plastic waste and limiting the use of single-use plastic products, Da Nang’s young people simultaneously implemented creative models with flexible adaptation to COVID-19. Since early October 10, wards in Thanh Khe District have successively implemented 3 models earning high public appraise, namely ‘Plastic waste reduction in urban areas’, ‘Markets limit the usage of plastic wastes’ and ‘Exchange plastic waste for green trees’ in parallel with promoting the implementation of social order, urban beauty and social welfare work.

‘Plastic waste reduction in urban areas’ model has proved highly effective

Sorting waste at the source

In the face of growing public concern about environmental issues, every simple deed is really essential to make something special in order to change the minds of the public about environmental protection.

Under the ‘Plastic waste reduction in urban areas’ model, Thanh Khe District’s youth focus on mobilising local residents to increase waste sorting at the source, make a switch from hard-to-decompose plastic products to environmentally friendly ones, and also importantly, put trash in garbage classification bins as prescribed.

The ‘Markets limit the usage of plastic wastes’ model features practical activities to raise awareness amongst the city dwellers and market stall holders about the dangers of plastic waste to the environment and make appeals for more joint public efforts to reduce plastic waste.

At the same time, it is recommended that shoppers replace plastic bags with reusable containers and paper or biodegradable plastic bags.

As part of the ‘Exchange plastic waste for green trees’ model, plastic waste are swapped for  trees in a bid to spread the plastic waste reduction movement.

Deputy Secretary of the Thanh Khe District Youth Union Mai Hong Anh said that the aforementioned models have been simultaneously implemented from the beginning of October and proved highly effective.

So far, 1,500 publicity leaflets, 300kg of biological bags and 200 shopping baskets have been given out to those in need throughout the district.

An amount of money from the sales of 520kg of plastic waste collected district-wide has been spent making the purchases of books and learning tools for disadvantaged children.

'Give used battery - Get green life'

The Youth Union chapter of Hai Chau 2 Ward, Hai Chau District, since June, has implemented the model of ‘Battery house’ which collects the used batteries.

The demand for electronic devices among people is increasing considerably. Most televisions, air-conditioners, and other electronic devices use battery-powered remote controls.

The majority of batteries contain harmful heavy metals. All of these elements are extremely hazardous to both the environment and human health, and they are able to permeate into the ground soil and thus water supplies when they are placed into landfill. For this reason, placing them in household bins to dispose of them is not a safe option, as their harmful chemical content will ultimately make its way back into our water supplies.

The improper disposal of batteries represents high contamination risks for soil, water and air, as internal gases can cause the battery to bulge and leak. A single alkaline battery has enough contaminants to pollute 167,000 liters of water. Therefore, recycling is a great way to help protect the environment. There is no denying that an effective recycling system makes it possible to recover the polypropylene box, and lead components of the batteries.

The collected batteries will be taken directly to designated disposal sites or larger collection points. The batteries are transferred to dedicated battery treatment plants meeting the national strict environmental protection regulations.

The Youth Union chapter of Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District, since mid-September, has implemented the ‘Green roof - Collecting recyclable waste’ model in 5 villages. Local residents have been encouraged to put plastic waste into these green roof-shaped large boxes.

About once a month, Youth Union volunteers came here to collect scrap in these boxes for sales from which money were generated in support for disadvantaged youths or children in the commune.

Reporting by DAN TAM – Translating by A. THU