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Plastic Waste Management in Urban Vietnam: Household Behavior and Policy Solutions
Summary
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.