A Viet Nam Recycles volunteer in bright green clothes and bicycle. (Photo: dantri.com.vn)

Representatives from these districts and wards, along with volunteers and VR members, will go door to door, visiting all households, to collect recyclable electrical and electronic devices and raise awareness on the importance of recycling. 

“This campaign aims to promote our collection programme, since the number of people who bring electronic waste to the designated collecting locations has been quite low,” VR spokesperson Miriam Lassernig said. 

“By going door to door to collect old electronic devices, we show them the convenience of the practice. Hopefully, with this approach, people will embrace the message of the programme,” she said. “At the same time, our staff and other members will explain the programme and highlight the benefits of proper electronic waste recycling practices to the environment and to people’s health.” 

VR aims to collect and recycle obsolete or out-of-use electronic products for free and ensure that recycling is done in a safe and environment-friendly manner. 

The programme is expected to reach 32,000 households. 

The five districts in HCM City chosen to pilot the programme are District 1, 2, and 4, Binh Thanh District, Phu Nhuan district; the five wards in Hanoi that will participate are Nghia Tan, Yen Hoa (Cau Giay district), Quan Thanh, Thanh Cong (Ba Dinh district) and Co Nhue (Bac Tu Liem).

Recently, Microsoft Mobile Vietnam joined the cause. The Vietnamese government has underscored the role of manufacturers in collecting e-waste under Decision No. 16, which came into effect in July. 

Last September, VR had collaborated with a number of wards’ authorities in Hanoi and launched a campaign urging people to bring their old electronic devices to the collecting locations. However, it had made little impact, since people are in the habit of selling old devices to junk dealers instead.