‘Plastic-Smart Schools’: Students at the center of change

Building plastic-free schools from the smallest actions

In the face of mounting plastic pollution threatening ecosystems and human health, schools, where knowledge is nurtured and character is shaped, are becoming the starting point for sustainable change. Through partnerships between the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and numerous schools across Vietnam, the “Plastic-Smart School” model has emerged not only as a solution for waste management but also as a new form of action-based education, putting students at the center of the green transition.

Sharing the success of the model in Hue, Hoang Ngoc Tuong Van, project manager at WWF Vietnam, noted that from 2022 to 2024, WWF implemented the initiative in 52 schools, engaging more than 17,000 students and teachers. In 2025, another 31 schools with around 18,800 students are expected to join. “We always put students at the center of every activity. Their habits and lifestyles not only influence peers but also ripple out to parents, neighbors, communities, and even local policies”, she stressed.

To make this possible, WWF and experts developed a Plastic-Smart School Handbook and education toolkit, giving teachers practical, easy-to-use resources. Lessons are integrated into subjects such as English, literature, and science, as well as experiential activities. So far, more than 581 integrated lessons have been delivered, alongside online contests, art competitions, “Golden Bell” quizzes, and waste audits.

What sets the model apart is its action-based approach. Students don’t just learn theory; they experience real-world activities such as spending a day as sanitation workers, studying the life cycle of waste, and practicing sorting and recycling. They even make paper bags to give to market vendors. “This is not just a plan on paper, the students truly see their role in protecting the environment”, a WWF representative said.

Spreading change from a school in Hue

Among the pioneers is Thong Nhat Secondary School in Hue. In 2022–2023, the school signed an agreement with WWF to adopt the model. Teachers, staff, and students received training on plastic waste reduction and were provided with waste-sorting bins. In 2023–2024, the school received further support to develop communication tools and established the “I Love the Environment” club.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Ngoc Quynh explained: “When direct funding ended in the 2024–2025 school year, we still maintained and expanded activities. That shows the model has true longevity and is embraced by both students and parents".

She said success came from a systemic, comprehensive approach: raising awareness through communication, integrating content into lessons, organizing extracurricular activities, conducting waste audits, and giving students hands-on experiences.

The school even introduced a ban on junk food, as most plastic waste came from snacks. To help students appreciate the hard work of sanitation workers, it organized “A Day as a Sanitation Worker.” Students also joined clean-up drives at local tourist sites, demonstrating both civic duty and love for their hometown.

Creative activities added momentum: swapping waste for gifts, making paper bags for bookstores, and holding recycled-art contests. Two students even developed an e-notebook and a plastic reduction website, winning top prizes in city and national competitions, a testament to how young people thrive when given the chance to lead.

WWF and participating schools share a clear philosophy: “from awareness to action, from action to outreach and sustainability.” The model connects families, local authorities, and businesses such as HEPCO, creating a chain of education, production, and consumption experiences.

WWF has also boosted communication through media and social networks, giving students space at major environmental events and elevating their role as young “green ambassadors”.

According to Quynh, sustainability requires clear plans with defined goals, content, budgets, and responsibilities. Most importantly, students must remain at the center, directly engaging, creating, and even guiding their peers. Regular meetings of the Environment Club, where knowledge and communication skills are reinforced, are also essential for long-term impact.

From the perspective of teachers and environmental experts, the “Plastic-Smart School” model not only reduces plastic waste but also fosters sustainable lifestyles among the next generation. “Every student today is a seedling. If we cultivate sustainable awareness and habits, tomorrow we will have a green future”, Tuong Van affirmed.