Waste recycling roadmap in Vietnam

Recycling of the above packaging materials is associated with the responsibility of manufacturers with revenue of over 30 billion VND a year, according to Decree No. 08/2022. This regulation also applies to importers with a turnover of over 20 billion VND a year.

The mandatory recycling rate of each type of product and packaging is determined on the basis of life cycle, disposal and collection rates, national recycling goals and socio-economic conditions of each period.

In fact, from January 1, 2022, the roadmap for recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum, and plastic packaging has been implemented. Accordingly, the materials with the highest mandatory recycling rate are PET (plastic used to make mineral water bottles, takeaway coffee cup lids, food containers, spice bottles…) and aluminum at 22%. 15% glass. The above rate applies for the first 3 years, then increases gradually every three years.

Recycling rate of all types of waste 2022-2026:

According to regulations, businesses recycle products and packaging they produce, import, or other units with the same materials. For example, with the same PET plastic bottle product, Coca-Cola can recycle the same type of bottle from PepsiCo or Nestlé to reach the required rate. Recycling of imported scrap as raw materials for production is not included in this rate.

Proper reuse and recycling will turn waste into production materials, maximize value and extend product life cycle. Besides, this job also saves waste treatment costs and reduces environmental pollution in the context of two large cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, discharging 7,000 – 10,000 tons of waste every day, and 60% of that amount is treated with waste. burial method.

To ensure input quality of the recycling industry, attention should be paid to collecting and classifying waste at source. For example, plastic is a high-value recyclable material that will be contaminated when mixed with household waste, becoming low-value or having to be thrown away.

The waste classification policy at source effective from January 1, 2025 is expected to bring a clean source of input materials to this industry.