Vietnam Targets to Reduce 75% of Marine Plastic Waste by 2030: PM’s Plan

Vietnam has set a target to reduce 75% of plastic debris by 2030, aiming to carry out the country’s initiatives and commitments to the international community and become a regional leader in the work, according to a national action plan, approved in the prime minister’s Decision 1746/QD-TTg dated December 4. The plan is also meant to realize the national strategy for integrated management of solid waste until 2025, with a vision to 2050. By 2030, the country targets to have 100% of lost or discarded fishing tools collected and eradicate the direct discharge of fishing tools into the ocean. With the scheme, Vietnam expects all tourist sites, tourist accommodation facilities, and other tourism service providers in coastal areas not to use disposable plastic products or non-biodegradable plastic bags. Besides, all coastal nature reserves will be free of plastic waste by that end. The country will also increase monitoring annually and every five years to evaluate marine plastic pollution in some river mouths of 11 main river basins and 12 island districts. Vietnam is among the worst polluters of this kind worldwide, discharging 0.28-0.73 tons of plastic waste to the ocean every year. It is forecast that there may be more plastic waste in the sea than fish by 2050 without drastic measures. (VTV, Bao Chinh Phu, Bao Chinh Phu, Tuoi Tre, Lao Dong, Vietnam Plus, VnEconomy, Thoi Bao Tai Chinh Viet Nam, Luat Viet Nam)