Media raises awareness in reducing plastic waste

(CLO) On October 31, the Quang Ninh Provincial Journalists Association coordinated with the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication ( Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ) to organize a conference on "Communicating and disseminating plastic reduction policies for the fresh and frozen food industry".

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Do Ngoc Ha, Permanent Vice President of the Quang Ninh Provincial Journalists Association emphasized: “The media plays an important role in disseminating information and raising public awareness. The Quang Ninh Provincial Journalists Association recognizes its responsibility to actively participate with local press and media agencies in disseminating and informing about solutions to reduce environmental pollution and protect valuable resources.”

Conference scene. Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper

At this conference, delegates listened to in-depth opinions from experts, managers and people directly involved in environmental protection work.

Sharing at the conference, Mr. Cao Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication, informed about the current situation of plastic waste in the world and in Vietnam. Specifically, there are currently 29 million tons of plastic waste discharged into the ocean each year, equivalent to 50kg of waste per meter along the coastline worldwide. In Vietnam, the plastic consumption is 41kg/person/year, ranking 3rd in ASEAN; the proportion of plastic accounts for 13% of total household waste. If in 2010, there were about 1.8 million tons of unmanaged plastic waste, by 2025, this number could increase to 4.2 million tons.

Mr. Cao Minh Tuan emphasized: “Plastic waste has a great impact on human health”. Microplastic particles absorb large amounts of agricultural and industrial toxins. Plastic contains Bisphenol A, flame retardants, and plasticizers. These are toxic substances that can enter the human body through microplastic particles, causing cancer, asthma, infertility, mental disorders, etc.

Sharing the same concern about microplastics, journalist Do Doan Hoang shared: “Vietnamese people are facing a disaster that is no less than the stories of wildlife massacre or natural environment massacre, air pollution, noise pollution, deforestation. This disaster is plastic waste, the amount of microplastic waste put into the human body is equivalent to a bank ATM card.”

To combat the problem of plastic waste, many localities across the country have now resolutely refused to pay for the use of plastic products. According to the national action plan on ocean plastic waste management by 2030, the goal is to reduce 50% of plastic waste in the sea and ocean by 2025 and 75% by 2030.

Through this conference, we aim to raise awareness among people and businesses about the importance of reducing plastic waste, especially in the fresh and frozen food industry, and at the same time disseminate policies and solutions to reduce plastic, towards a sustainable living environment.

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/truyen-thong-nang-cao-nhan-thuc-trong-viec-giam-thieu-rac-thai-nhu-post319402.html