15 years of cleaning up farmland, starting with pesticide containers

From discarded containers to environmental action

In agricultural production, used pesticide packaging can become a source of hazardous waste if it is not properly collected and disposed of, posing risks to soil, water, and the surrounding environment. Against this backdrop, encouraging farmers to develop the habit of collecting used pesticide containers has emerged as a practical solution for building a safer, greener, and more sustainable agricultural sector.

With a commitment to linking production and business activities to social responsibility, Tan Thanh Trading Co., Ltd. has consistently implemented environmental protection initiatives. One of the most notable is the “Collect pesticide containers, get Tet gifts” program, which has been running continuously since 2011 and is now entering its 16th year.

A notable feature of the program is its exchange model, in which farmers receive practical household gifts in return for used pesticide packaging, particularly around the end of the year. This simple and accessible approach makes environmental protection more relevant to farmers while turning packaging collection into a concrete action tied to tangible benefits for participants.

After 15 years, the program has collected more than 600 tons of used pesticide packaging across numerous localities. All collected packaging is transported and handed over to licensed treatment facilities for disposal in accordance with environmental protection regulations.

Behind the figure of more than 600 tons is not only the amount of waste removed from farmland, but also a shift in farmers’ awareness and behavior. Once viewed as ordinary waste, used pesticide packaging is now increasingly being collected and taken to designated collection points.

Notably, during the “Collect pesticide containers, get Tet gifts” campaign at the end of 2025, ahead of Tet 2026, the program collected more than 95 tons of used pesticide packaging, the highest amount recorded to date.

The results show that the program is gaining stronger support from local communities and reflecting positive changes in farmers’ awareness of environmental protection in agricultural production.

Promoting responsibility and supporting green agriculture

While collection helps reduce the amount of hazardous waste left in fields, the program's greater value lies in its ability to raise awareness and encourage behavioral change within local communities. Through the gift-exchange initiative, environmental protection messages are delivered in a practical, accessible, and easy-to-follow way.

Every bottle or package that farmers collect and bring to an authorized collection point represents a small but meaningful step toward more responsible farming practices. As this habit is maintained season after season, its environmental benefits can accumulate across a much wider area.

After 15 years, the “Collect pesticide containers, get Tet gifts” program has become a prominent initiative under the broader “Tan Thanh and Action for the Environment” program. It also reflects the company's commitment to social responsibility and its efforts to support farmers in building a safer and more sustainable agricultural sector.

Going forward, Tan Thanh Trading Co., Ltd. said it will continue the program and work with its network of distributors, farmers, and local authorities to improve the collection of used pesticide packaging. At the same time, the company will continue to focus on raising awareness about responsible pesticide use, safe agricultural production, and environmental protection.

Nguyen Van Linh, Head of the Trade and Marketing Department at Tan Thanh Trading Co., Ltd., said that as the agricultural sector moves increasingly toward greener, cleaner, low-emission, and sustainable production, community initiatives such as “Collect pesticide containers, get Tet gifts” have practical significance. Building a modern agricultural sector requires not only advanced technologies and production processes, but also changes driven by the everyday actions of individual farmers.

After 15 years of sustained efforts, more than 600 tons of pesticide packaging have been collected and sent for proper treatment. More importantly, the program has helped spread the message that environmental protection is not the sole responsibility of businesses or regulators, but requires the collective efforts of the entire community.

When everyone takes the initiative to collect even a single bottle or package after use, these small actions can contribute to major changes, creating cleaner fields, safer production environments, and a more sustainable agricultural sector.