Organizing activities in response to World Environment Day 2023
World Environment Day on June 5, 2023 was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, focusing on implementing the campaign “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
According to UNEP’s assessment, environmental pollution from plastic waste is becoming the top pressing issue facing countries around the world. Every year, about 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, half of which are designed for single use, less than 10% are recycled. An estimated 19 – 23 million tons are discharged into lakes, rivers and seas every year. Microplastics are small plastic particles that enter food, water sources and air. It is estimated that each person on the planet may have to receive more than 50,000 plastic particles each year. Single-use plastics that are discarded or burned are harmful to human health and pollute ecosystems, from mountain tops to ocean floors.
Over the years, Vietnam has been implementing many mechanisms, strategies, policies and projects to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment, typically the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection has added regulations on reducing, reusing, recycling and treating plastic waste; limiting the use of disposable plastic products and hard-to-decompose nylon bags; encouraging the production of environmentally friendly products to replace traditional plastic products.
Therefore, the theme of World Environment Day 2023 aims to strongly convey the message of building a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature; rationally using natural resources, biodiversity and adapting to climate change; Control and address plastic waste pollution through policies, initiatives and participation in global and regional cooperation mechanisms; move towards a greener, cleaner lifestyle; increase recycling and reuse; promote the construction of a green economy, a circular economy and sustainable development; effectively implement anti-plastic waste policies.
In response to World Environment Day and the Month of Action for the Environment in 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment respectfully requests central ministries, branches and organizations; People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities and agencies and units shall pay attention to directing and guiding the organization of activities, organizing propaganda and implementing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and mechanisms, policies and laws on environmental protection.
Agencies and units need to effectively implement the Project “Promoting propaganda on plastic waste prevention and control in the period of 2021 – 2025”; Directive No. 33/CT-TTg on strengthening the management, reuse, recycling, treatment and reduction of plastic waste; Project “Strengthening plastic waste management in Vietnam”…
At the same time, develop and promulgate regulations, mechanisms and preferential policies for enterprises producing environmentally friendly products and recycling enterprises; Strengthen research and transfer of advanced technology to recycle plastic waste into useful and environmentally friendly products. In addition, promote the development of infrastructure and services for collecting and recycling plastic waste; collect, classify and treat household waste and plastic waste at source.