On September 11, 2025, in Hanoi, UNDP Vietnam and the Norwegian Embassy, with support from the Government of Norway, collaborated with the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development & Environment) to hold a summary workshop for the EPPIC (Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge) Project.
The project, which has been implemented since 2020, aims to promote innovative solutions and a circular plastics economy in ASEAN, with Vietnam being one of the key focus countries.
Pilot initiatives in Vietnam include: the “Trash Hunt” mobile application, a Deposit-Return Scheme (DRS), co-processing of hard-to-recycle plastic waste, building Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), and source separation of waste.
The project achieved significant results: it attracted about 350 innovative ideas from ASEAN countries and prevented nearly 3,500 tons of plastic from being released into the environment. Furthermore, it mobilized external funding (investments, grants) that were larger than the initial support.
Insights from International Experts
Here are some opinions and reviews from experts and international reports on models like EPPIC:
Strengths
- Starting with a baseline assessment to understand the types of plastic, sources of pollution, collection systems, and local recycling status helps ensure that solutions are more practical and relevant to the local context.
- The participation of communities and local stakeholders (provincial and commune-level authorities, residential groups, informal waste collectors, etc.) is considered crucial for feasibility, scalability, and sustainability. Experts emphasize that without local consensus and involvement, initiatives tend to “break down” once funding ends.
- Circular economy models, innovative product design, alternative materials, and the use of digital technology are seen as having great potential, especially if scaled up.
Challenges
- Many initiatives are still pilots and have not been truly scaled up, either geographically or in terms of operational scope. This expansion is often limited by financial resources, management capacity, and the capacity of the collection and recycling infrastructure.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a challenge to implement effectively, especially for products containing hard-to-recycle plastics. The link between production/design and the collection/recycling stages can sometimes be unclear.
- Transboundary plastic waste, including trade and the import of plastic waste, is another major challenge. International control and regulations are not yet synchronized, and illegal waste imports disguised as recycled materials can sometimes exceed local processing capacity.
- There is a lack of long-term financial mechanisms—not just for short-term pilot projects, but also for investing in recycling infrastructure, technologies for processing hard-to-degrade plastics, and other necessary infrastructure.
International Context & Link to Global Policies
- Vietnam is considered one of the leading countries in ASEAN in its commitment to policy and participation in negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty. This involvement not only helps Vietnam receive international support but also provides an opportunity to influence international terms to suit domestic realities.
- Reports such as the Vietnam: Plastic Pollution Diagnostics (by the World Bank) have provided quantitative data on the extent of plastic pollution, “hotspots,” and the quality of the plastic waste collection and treatment systems. This data helps in more effective policy planning and program interventions.
Existing & Implemented Policies in Vietnam
- National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Litter Management up to 2030 – This is a major policy framework approved by the government in December 2019.
- Vietnam’s Sustainable Marine Economy Development Strategy, Resolution No. 26/NQ-CP, and related actions.
- The Environmental Protection Law, which includes regulations on solid waste collection and treatment, emissions, and producer responsibility. EPR is being developed as part of this policy.
- Decision 1407/QĐ-TTg on the Global Plastics Treaty.
- Decision 222/QĐ-TTg issuing the National Action Plan for implementing a circular economy.
- Small grants and technical assistance programs from UNDP, Norway, WWF, and other international funds aim to support local-level initiatives, raise awareness, and pilot new models.
Recommendations for Vietnam’s Continued Development
Based on international assessments, there are several recommendations that could help Vietnam increase its effectiveness in reducing marine plastic pollution and developing a sustainable marine economy:
- Integrate Technology: Use digital applications, waste maps, and community interaction tools to make participation easier for the public.
- Increase Long-Term Financing & Infrastructure Investment:
- Seek international or state budget support to build specialized recycling facilities, plants for processing hard-to-degrade plastics, and marine waste transfer and collection stations.
- Create financial mechanisms for innovative initiatives with the potential to scale up, providing support for expansion, not just for pilot testing.
- Strengthen EPR Implementation:
- Ensure EPR regulations are clear: products containing plastic must be held responsible for their entire lifecycle, from design to post-use recycling and collection.
- Control or gradually reduce high-risk single-use plastic products and encourage the use of better recyclable or biodegradable alternatives.
- Improve Source Separation & Collection/Recycling Systems:
- Expand household and business source separation systems.
- Establish Materials Recovery Facilities and promote the market for secondary materials.
- Improve the conditions and rights of informal waste collectors: provide training, technical support, health protection, and ensure their income and inclusion in the value chain.
- Enhance Legal Management & Control of Plastic Waste Imports:
- Review and tighten regulations related to plastic scrap imports, ensuring they match domestic processing capacity.
- Adhere to international commitments, such as the Basel Convention and any new related adjustments.
- Strengthen International Cooperation & Global Treaty Participation:
- Closely follow the negotiation process for the Global Plastics Treaty to ensure its binding and implementable clauses align with Vietnam’s context.
- Leverage opportunities for international technical/financial support: exchange experiences, transfer technology, and learn from successful international initiatives.
- Improve Communication & Awareness:
- The national communication program on seas and oceans until 2030 is important. It needs to be strengthened, with more programs in schools, coastal communities, and businesses.
