Developing circular economy from design thinking to behavioral change

Circularity begins with product design

Within the forum “Sustainable development in agriculture, environment and natural resources management”, international and domestic experts shared practical experiences, expanding the circular economy concept beyond waste management toward design thinking, restructuring production and consumption chains in a sustainable direction.

Professor Ali Abbas from the University of Sydney emphasized that the circular economy should not be confined to waste management policies. “Treatment is only the final step to minimize waste, while the core lies in product design. Right from the design stage, it is necessary to determine the proportion of recyclable materials and ensure safety, avoiding pollutants such as POPs from entering the economy,” he said.

According to the professor, Viet Nam can leapfrog by developing circular criteria for each sector, especially chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture - areas that can easily generate sources of soil, water, and food pollution. He cited Japan’s model, which sets up to 44 waste classification criteria, viewing classification not just as a technical action but as part of system design. "Circular design thinking goes beyond materials and looks at the product life cycle. For example, a piece of glass from a solar panel, instead of being energy-intensively recycled, can be reused as a window or roof", he suggested, emphasizing that design must also include the role of businesses - key links in the circular economy chain.

From the Vietnamese perspective, Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Van Ha from Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment shared the journey to change the long-standing practice of burning rice straw, which causes many environmental consequences.

“People see burning straw as the fastest solution, even a tradition. To change this habit, they need to recognize the harm it causes to themselves and others, as well as the benefits of alternative treatment methods instead of burning," she said.

According to her, straw burning neither replenishes nutrients nor maintains soil balance. An alternative is to use this by-product to produce fertilizer, grow mushrooms, or create high-value materials such as silica. She cited examples from localities like An Giang and Chau Thanh, where pilot models have initially shown economic and environmental benefits.

Expanding foundation for the circular economy

At the forum, Dr. Duong Ngoc Cuong from the Big Data Research Institute, VinUni, shared that technologies serving the circular economy and biosafety “are ready." The institute is developing testing chips for agricultural applications, designed for humans and livestock to monitor food quality, aiming toward an innovative, bio-secure agricultural model.

Regarding food safety, Professor Ali Abbas pointed out that arsenic contamination does not occur only in rice but may also appear in many other agricultural products. Risk assessment, he said, must be based on scientific evidence and standardized processes to avoid creating unnecessary public concern.

Agreeing with this view, Dr. Duong Nu Tra My from the University of Sydney Vietnam said that communication and science must go hand in hand. "Before issuing any warnings, there must be clear evidence and a transparent scientific publication. Otherwise, it can cause serious damage to industries - as seen in the case of durian exports affected by cadmium contamination," she said.

Dr. Tra My also mentioned her team’s research on antibiotic resistance. She explained that previous studies were fragmented, so her group is now conducting a comprehensive survey across humans, livestock, and the environment to identify how drug-resistant bacteria spread through the food supply chain. "We will also study people’s antibiotic use behaviors so that, once we have scientific results, we can design specific intervention measures," she added.

In addition, to raise community awareness about antibiotic resistance, the project includes activities such as involving high school students in collecting environmental samples and organizing mini-games on antibiotic resistance, helping to spread knowledge among younger generations.

The circular economy is not merely a technical or policy matter but a comprehensive transformation in development thinking from product design and supply chain restructuring to building community awareness. With the advantage of being a latecomer, Vietnam has the opportunity to learn from advanced models and shorten the transition by adopting sustainable design thinking from the very beginning.