A national drive in response to the “Clean up the world” campaign 2019 was launched in Do Son district in the northern port city of Hai Phong on September 12.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and the People’s Committee of Hai Phong city.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan pointed out current environmental challenges, including a huge amount of plastic waste and nylon bags. Some 500 billion plastic bottles and over 500 billion nylon bags are used every year, he said.

As a developing nation, Vietnam is facing various difficulties such as environmental pollution, climate change, sea level rise and especially plastic waste, ranking 17th out of 109 countries with the highest level of plastic pollution in the world, Nhan stressed.

The Deputy Minister called for concerted efforts of all sectors, localities and people to reduce the use of disposable plastic products, towards the non-use of those products in the country in 2025.

VWU Vice President Nguyen Thi Tuyet underlined women’s role in all stages of plastic waste management. She urged VWU members nationwide to encourage others to switch from nylon bags and disposable plastic products to other environmentally-friendly and recyclable ones.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee of Hai Phong Le Khac Nam said Hai Phong always pays attention to green economic development in line with sustainable environmental protection as the city has prioritised high-tech investment projects./.