Norway calls on Vietnam to join efforts in recycling and reducing plastic use

Each year, World Environment Day is an occasion to reflect and take action for a greener planet, where humans and nature thrive in harmony and sustainability. The year 2025 marks the third consecutive year the United Nations has chosen the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlighting the global urgency and calling on the international community to address plastic waste challenges.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper interviewed with H.E. Ms. Hilde Solbakken, the Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam, who shared Norway’s effective initiatives to reduce plastic waste at source, in line with the message: “Repair, Reuse, and Reduce Plastic Consumption.”

Norway is recognized as a global leader in environmental protection linked with green economic development. One of the key solutions that has been effectively implemented in Norway is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) waste management policy.

Ambassador Solbakken explained that Norwegian businesses are not only responsible for the products they sell, but also for ensuring the collection and proper disposal of waste once the products reach the end of their life cycle. For example, if a household appliance breaks, Norwegians can bring it to any electronics store. These stores are obligated to accept, repair, or recycle the item in accordance with national e-waste management regulations.

To support this process, the Norwegian Government has proactively issued regulations and set clear recycling targets. The higher the standards, the more feasible and efficient it becomes to recycle and recover valuable materials from waste.

“We have observed that Vietnam has implemented several pilot models for waste separation at source. This is a positive sign toward building a foundation for a waste separation system suited to the country’s conditions,” said Ambassador Hilde Solbakken.

Notably, Vietnam’s waste management chain also involves the active participation of unofficial waste collectors and handlers. However, integrating this workforce into the formal management system requires careful consideration to ensure operational efficiency and social equity.

As part of the cooperation project between the Government of Norway and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Vietnam, the initiative “Hue - A Plastic Smart City in Central Vietnam” (TVA) has successfully piloted models that support and enhance the role of female waste collectors in collecting recyclable materials. The project also recognizes their contributions as a vital link in building a sustainable urban waste management system.

In addition, Vietnam is working closely with Norway, particularly in the application of advanced technologies in cement production using non-recyclable plastic waste as an alternative fuel to coal. This “three-in-one” solution not only helps to treat hard-to-dispose waste but also reduces production costs for cement plants and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

In the coming period, the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam will collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to pilot a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic packaging. Under this scheme, consumers pay a small deposit when purchasing plastic bottles, which is refunded when they return the empty bottles to the store. 

In Norway, this mechanism has achieved a remarkable return rate of up to 92%. This serves as a testament to the model’s effectiveness and sustainability. After thorough surveys and assessments, experts believe the DRS model is highly feasible and can be successfully implemented in Vietnam, paving the way for significant reductions in plastic waste and promoting a circular economy.

"At the Norwegian Embassy, we’ve conducted a feasibility study on implementing DRS in Vietnam, and the results clearly show that it is entirely feasible. However, some adaptations will likely be necessary to fit the local context", stated Ambassador Hilde Solbakken.

On World Environment Day, Norway’s message is clearer than ever: Waste management is not solely the responsibility of governments or businesses. It is the role of each individual must take part in, starting today. Sorting waste at the source, practicing responsible consumption, and choosing to repair instead of replace are small actions that step by step help build a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for Vietnam and the world.