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Plastic Waste Management in Urban Vietnam: Household Behavior and Policy Solutions
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A study of 430 households in Ho Chi Minh City found that even though most people worry about plastic pollution, they still rely heavily on single-use bags and bottles and rarely sort or recycle their waste. The research shows that simple household recycling habits could meaningfully cut oil use, electricity consumption, landfill space, and carbon emissions — but real progress will require better infrastructure and policies, not just good intentions. This matters because unmanaged plastic waste often ends up breaking down into microplastics that contaminate water, food, and eventually our bodies, so improving recycling systems is a step toward reducing that exposure.
Abstract Vietnam is experiencing a growing plastic waste crisis driven by rapid urbanization and the widespread use of single-use plastics. This study analyzes household behavior toward plastic waste sorting based on 430 survey responses in Ho Chi Minh City. Results show that while over 80% of respondents express strong concern about plastic pollution, daily reliance on plastic bags and bottles remains high, and reduction or reuse practices are limited. Demographic factors including housing type, income, and education significantly influence participation, with higher-income and more educated households more engaged in waste reduction and recycling. Quantitative analysis further indicates that if an average household applies source separation and recycling, it can save approximately 2.3–2.5 barrels of crude oil, 800–885 kWh of electricity, 3.2–3.5 m 3 of landfill space, and reduce 0.25–0.36 tCO 2 annually. Drawing on global best practices, the paper evaluates models such as source separation, extended producer responsibility (EPR), community waste banks, and recycling cooperatives, concluding that source separation and recycling are the most effective strategies. The findings emphasize that advancing circular plastic waste management in Vietnam requires integrated policies, investment in infrastructure, and active community participation to transform plastic from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.
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Current Status of Plastic Waste Pollution and Management in Vietnam: Challenges and Opportunities Toward a Circular Economy
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Vietnam is one of the world's top contributors to ocean plastic pollution, and this review paper takes stock of how the country produces and manages plastic waste, along with the laws in place to fix it. Poorly managed plastic waste doesn't just harm the environment — it breaks down into microplastics that can enter our water, food, and eventually our bodies, making better waste management a public health issue as much as an environmental one. The paper argues that shifting toward a "circular economy" (reusing and recycling materials instead of tossing them) offers a path forward, though real progress will depend on stronger policies and enforcement.
Household-Level Strategies to Tackle Plastic Waste Pollution in a Transitional Country
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Researchers surveyed 730 Vietnamese households on plastic waste management strategies, finding that waste sorting, environmental fund contributions, and willingness to relocate from polluted areas varied based on socioeconomic factors and environmental awareness.
Potential For Recycling Single-Use Plastic Waste - Case Study in Can Tho City, Vietnam
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Researchers investigated the composition and recyclability potential of single-use plastic waste from domestic sources in Can Tho City, Vietnam, sampling from markets, residential areas, bus stations, and schools. Findings showed plastic components ranged from 6.82% in suburban Cai Rang to 14.89% in urban Ninh Kieu district, with highly diverse disposable plastic items including bags, foam boxes, straws, and bottles.
Plastic Waste and Difficulties in Management in Vietnam
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This paper is not about microplastics — it provides an overview of plastic waste generation, management challenges, and the limited recycling rate in Vietnam, where about 90% of plastic waste is burned, buried, or released to the environment.
Plastic Waste Generation and Management in Thoi Lai District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
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This study assessed plastic waste generation and management practices in Thoi Lai district, Can Tho City, Vietnam, through household waste sampling and survey interviews. The average domestic solid waste generation was 0.3 kg per person per day, with plastic waste comprising 11.7% of that total; shopping bags were the largest single plastic category at 34.7%. The study found that plastic waste is not separated from other domestic waste and that community awareness of plastic pollution impacts remains low.
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