Coastal school in Hue leads plastic-free revolution for a greener future

Through a series of creative and hands-on initiatives, the school is inspiring hundreds of students to live greener, turning environmental protection into a daily habit rather than a distant slogan.

On an early October morning, fifth graders from class 5/2 were immersed in a lively lesson on waste classification, recycling, and plastic reduction. Laughter and excitement filled the classroom as teachers guided students to sort trash, create recycled crafts, and share stories about protecting the ocean and islands. The children even acted out scenarios about environmental conservation, transforming theory into play.

“I’ve learned so much about how to protect the environment”, said Tuong Vy, a fifth-grader and the school’s Team Leader. “I now bring my own water bottle instead of buying bottled water. It saves money, reduces plastic waste, and keeps our school beautiful. Sometimes I reuse bottles to make planters or decorations”.

Vy added that the lessons didn’t stop at the classroom door. “We tell our families not to litter and to reduce plastic use at home. It feels great to make a difference”, she said with pride.

Since the 2022–2023 school year, Phu Tan Primary School, located along the scenic but pollution-prone Thuan An coast, has partnered with WWF-Vietnam to implement a Plastic Reduction School model. The initiative aims to create a cleaner learning environment while fostering environmental awareness among students and their communities.

To achieve this, the school has woven environmental education into every aspect of student life. Lessons on the impact of plastic waste and waste classification have been integrated into subjects, experiential learning, and extracurricular sessions across all grades. Teachers and staff have been trained to guide waste sorting at the source, while the students have joined cleanup drives, organized “Recycling Festivals” where trash is traded for gifts, and formed Environment Lover clubs.

Outdoor workshops and debates on “Trash and Its Impact on Human Life” have sparked critical thinking and empowered students to speak up for the planet. The school also conducts regular “waste audits” to measure progress, a professional touch for a primary institution.

According to teacher Do Thi Lan Anh, the journey wasn’t easy at first. “Changing old habits was difficult”, she admitted. “Parents and students were used to plastic bags and single-use bottles. Preparing bins and eco-friendly alternatives also took time and effort. But the students’ enthusiasm was incredible. They brought their own bottles, recycled materials into classroom tools, and eagerly joined cleanups”.

She said these activities not only reduced waste but also helped students internalize the value of sustainability. “Since we began, single-use plastic at the school has dropped sharply. The students have become more conscious, and the movement has spread to their families and even coastal households nearby. When children practice green habits daily, they carry those values for life”.

Principal Nguyen Thi Truc Phuong noted that through practical lessons and community engagement, students have grown into “little environmental ambassadors”. They now influence not only their peers but also adults in their homes.

“With the positive results and growing impact, the Plastic Reduction School model will continue with even more creative and diverse activities”, she said. “Our goal is to nurture a green school that contributes to long-term environmental protection”.

From classroom lessons to community cleanups, Phu Tan Primary School is proving that even small hands can make a big impact. On this coastal stretch of Hue, the tide against plastic is starting to turn, one student at a time.

Phu Tan Primary School was recognized by the Steering Committee of the "Skilled Mass Mobilization" movement of Hue City for meeting the criteria of the "Civilized, Green, Clean, Beautiful, Safe, and Exemplary School" model in the "Skilled Mass Mobilization for Building New Rural Areas and Civilized Urban Areas" movement in 2023. It was also awarded the Third Prize by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the former Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) in the "Building a Green - Clean - Bright - Four Seasons of Flowers School" competition and the program for making environmentally friendly paper bags in 2022 (Primary block).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment assigned the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper to coordinate with relevant agencies and units, and the Green Future Fund to organize the ASEAN Eco-School Award Vietnam 2025 - Plastic Waste Free School. For all information related to the award, readers can visit the online newspaper nongnghiepmoitruong.vn, the ecoschool.vn Award website or Journalist Nguyen Quynh Chi, Phone: 0967181555 or email: nquynhchi.00@gmail.com.