Vietnam/ Hanoi commits to the fight against single-use plastic bags

In accordance with a resolution passed by the Hanoi People's Council, from January 1, 2027, traditional markets and stores in the city will no longer provide non-biodegradable plastic bags free of charge. This measure aims to reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment.

In Hanoi, the amount of plastic waste is estimated at around 1,427 tonnes a day, over 60% of which is single-use items and plastic bags.

Nearly 20% of the plastic collected is recycled by small workshops, mainly in craft villages around Hanoi, mainly PET and HDPE plastics. LDPE and other types of plastic are almost all disposed of in landfill sites.

According to the report on the current consumption of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets in Hanoi, carried out in 2021 by the Institute of Resource Strategy and Policy and the Hanoi Institute of Resource Strategy and Policy and the Hanoi Institute of Resource Strategy and Policy and the Hanoi Institute of Resource Strategy and Policy and the Hanoi Institute of Resource Strategy and Policy.gie et de politique des ressources et de l'environnement, the quantity of single-use plastic bags distributed in supermarkets is extremely high.

In the 48 supermarkets surveyed alone, 104,000 plastic bags are distributed free of charge every day, equivalent to around 38 million bags a year. The vast majority of these plastic bags are used only once before being disposed of in landfill sites.

Roadmap

This resolution, in accordance with point d, paragraph 2, article 28 of the Capital Law, sets precise targets and a timetable to limit and then put an end to the use of single-use plastic products and plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade in production, trade and everyday life.

In the production sector, from January^1, 2028, companies using PE and PP plastic in the manufacture of packaging will be required to use at least 20% recycled plastic. This rate will be increased to at least 30% from January^1, 2030.

The city also requires production facilities to gradually reduce the manufacture and import of single-use plastic products, plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade, and items containing microplastics.

From January^1, 2031, Hanoi will completely cease the production and import of single-use plastic products, with the exception of products certified by the Vietnamese Ecological Label.

In commercial and distribution activities, the city requires that from January^1, 2027, markets and convenience stores will no longer provide plastic bags that are difficult to biodegrade free of charge.

From January^1, 2028, these establishments will also no longer be allowed to distribute or use single-use plastic products and plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade, including plastic bags and polystyrene trays used to package or preserve food.

However, this regulation does not apply to products and goods already packaged with this type of packaging before the effective date. Online sales platforms are also required to implement measures to reduce the use of plastic packaging and impact-resistant plastic materials. These companies must take the initiative to recover these types of packaging and materials in order to prevent their dispersal into the environment.

The tourism sector is not excluded from the scope of the resolution. As a result, from January^1, 2026, hotels, resorts and tourist sites will no longer be allowed to use single-use plastic products such as toothbrushes, razors, cotton buds, shower caps, as well as single-use plastic packaging containing toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and similar products.

In the day-to-day activities of public agencies, organizations and administrative units, the city requires an absolute ban on the use of single-use plastic products and plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade, including plastic bags and polystyrene food trays, unless these products are certified by the Vietnam Ecological Label.

In addition, from January^1, 2028, the use of plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade will also be banned for containing or coming into direct contact with food, in order to ensure public health safety and protect the environment.

Source: lecourrier.vn/