As one of the nine individuals recently awarded Certificates of Merit by Chairman of municipal People's Committee and glass trophies "Da Nang Environmental Award" in 2023, Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga, the Deputy Director of the Centre for Adaptive Capacity Building under the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations, is making daily efforts in environmental protection, thereby spreading the green lifestyle to the community.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga (left) guided the composting of organic waste and food waste into fertiliser, washing-up liquid, and environmentally friendly floor cleaner. Photo: HOANG HIEP

In her role as the Chief Representative of the Da Nang office of the international non-governmental organisation Malteser International in 2012, Nga and her colleagues sought funding sources to implement projects related to environmental protection, such as community-based disaster risk management (2012-2018) and forest conservation (2012-2016).

By 2020, as the Deputy Director of the Centre for Adaptive Capacity Building (CAB), she continued to propose projects and action programmes for environmental protection in Da Nang and neighbouring provinces and cities.

Specifically, Nga collaborated with schools and local authorities in Hoa Vang, Cam Le, Thanh Khe, Hai Chau, and Ngu Hanh Son districts to implement programmes such as "Plastic-Free Schools," "Green Schools”, "Environmentally Friendly Residential Areas", and "Youth Initiatives on Sustainable Energy in Da Nang", and established "Reuse Booths". These initiatives encouraged the community to be environmentally conscious and extended the lifespan of items to reduce waste.

These programmes were promoted by Nga in over 30 schools across the city, particularly at the primary and junior high school levels, thereby fostering environmental protection awareness among generations of students.

Vi Thi Thu Thao, the Principal of Chu Van An Junior High School in Thanh Khe District, mentioned that Nga and her staff and collaborators from CAB have been promoting the "Plastic-Free School" programme at the school since the 2022-2023 academic year. After nearly two years of implementation, the amount of plastic waste in the school has decreased by about 50%, and the awareness of the school's staff, officials, and workers has positively changed. Specifically, the school canteen has minimised the use of plastic cups and foam boxes which have been replaced with paper boxes. Meanwhile, teachers and pupils have used reusable water bottles, almost eliminating the use of plastic bottles.

Besides implementing numerous programmes in schools, several models promoted by Nga have been replicated in residential areas, such as making microbial products to compost organic waste into washing-up liquid in residential area 24, Hoa Xuan Ward, Cam Le District; the ‘environmentally friendly residential areas’ model at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District; and the ‘Clean Kitchen - Green Garden’ model by sorting waste and composting food waste into fertiliser for family gardens at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Hoa Thuan Tay Ward, Hai Chau District. These models have not only spread in Da Nang but also in many provinces nationwide, such as Ha Tinh, Phu Yen, Kien Giang, and Long An.

Sharing her experience in promoting environmental protection, Nga mentioned that to persuade teachers, pupils, and the community to protect the environment, it requires not only training and communication skills but also personal efforts in daily behaviour. She always carries a personal water bottle, avoids using single-use plastic, and minimises the use of too many banners and slogans to reduce paper waste. Additionally, she always integrates regulations and environmental protection laws into real-life stories to make it easier for the public and pupils to understand. Communication methods are also adjusted according to each context and must include practical surveys and practices for the public, pupils, and teachers.

Nga shared that although it is difficult to have specific figures on the environmental benefits achieved through the projects she and her colleagues implemented, the increasing number of environmentally friendly models replicated after each promotion is a great motivation for environmental workers. Therefore, she hopes that more people will become interested in protecting the environment, thereby contributing to preserving a green, clean, and beautiful environment.

Reporting by MAI QUE - Translating by TRUC VY