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BUSINESS REPORT

PHOTO: VIET TUAN
Products repurposed

Vietnam counts among the pioneers in Southeast Asia in new recycling efforts,
reflecting its proactive commitment towards sustainable development.

| By LINH TONG

ietnam is embracing a circular challenge for businesses, as their respon- necessitates accountability from both con-
economy, focusing on resource sibility now extends further and encom- sumers and manufacturers regarding the
V efficiency and waste recycling in passes the entire journey.” proper disposal of product packaging into
keeping with global trends. The Law on As a progressive addition to the Law the environment. This initiative provides
Environmental Protection 2020 introduced on Environmental Protection 2020, the additional financial support to businesses,
the Extended Producer Responsibility EPR aims to enhance reuse, recycling, and organizations, or individuals engaged in
(EPR) policy, effective from January 1, waste reduction practices. It targets insti- recycling, enabling them to invest in tech-
2024, signifying a shift from voluntary to gating changes in the behavior of producers nology transfer, upgrade recycling methods
mandatory recycling practices, governed and consumers alike, encouraging the use from basic to advanced, and meet com-
by specified standards and ratios and pro- of eco-friendly materials and moving prehensive environmental safety standards.”
viding an effective solution to address towards a circular economy. Manufacturers Over the past three years, regulatory
waste issues and foster the development and importers now shoulder dual respon- authorities, manufacturers, importers, and
of the recycling industry. sibilities: managing waste collection and recyclers have been working diligently to
processing, and taking charge of recycling refine and prepare for the implementation
MODERN MEASURE packaging and products. Compliance of the EPR policy in Vietnam. Mr. Phan
“EPR is a relatively new concept for involves adhering to a predefined schedule Tuan Hung, Head of the Legal Department
export-oriented enterprises like May 10,” for fulfilling recycling obligations, with at the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Mr. Than Duc Viet, CEO of the May 10 options to undertake recycling independ- Environment (MoNRE) and Director of
Corporation, told VET. “Previously, when ently, outsource to a third party, or con- the National EPR Council Office, said the
exporting goods, our responsibility stopped tribute financially to the Vietnam Envi- legal framework for enforcing the policy
at the wharf and didn’t directly extend to ronmental Protection Fund. has been largely completed. MoNRE has
retailers and consumers. The story is dif- “We view EPR as a highly significant also introduced an online registration and
ferent now, however. EPR requires that policy, acting as a pivotal factor in fostering reporting system, allowing manufacturers
manufacturers be responsible for products the growth of the recycling industry in and importers to conveniently register and
all the way to the final consumer and Vietnam in the years to come,” Mr. Hoang submit information on the National EPR
throughout the life of the product, even Duc Vuong, Chairman of the VietCycle Information Portal without the need for
when it becomes waste. This presents a Corporation, told VET. “The EPR policy submitting hard copies.

28 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | FEBRUARY 2024 en.vneconomy.vn