Hanoi, - February 19, 2020 - For the first time, an agreement to build a Public Private Collaboration (PPC) towards a circular economy for plastics waste management in Vietnam has been signed between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Dow Chemical Vietnam LLC (Dow Vietnam), SCG and Unilever Vietnam International Co., Ltd. (Unilever Vietnam).
According to MoNRE, the plastic waste is the global crisis, this situation in Vietnam is at an alarming rate. In a study by the Ocean Conservancy, Vietnam is one of the top five ocean plastic contributors.
The rise in plastic consumption and the negative impacts it is having on the environment, economic development and human health has led the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and 03 companies: Dow Vietnam, SCG and Unilever Vietnam to create Vietnam’s first Public Private Collaboration which will work to develop a circular economy for plastics waste management. This partnership's goal is to share knowledge, transfer technology, raise public awareness and promote innovations to solve the problem of plastic waste on a national scale.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment appreciates the initiative and responsibilities of Dow Vietnam, SCG and Unilever Vietnam in collaboration with The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment dealing with plastic waste in Vietnam, especially difficult-to-collect and recyclable plastic waste such as single-use plastic and flexible packaging. I believe that enterprises not only are parts of the problem but also play an important role in finding a solution.” - quotes from Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment – Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan.
The PPC will focus on four key areas:
- Raising public awareness about plastic waste reduction and segregation at source;
- Supporting activities of segregation at source and plastic waste recycling;
- Strengthening technical innovations and solutions for plastic recycling;
- Promoting dialogue and developing policy and legislation supporting a circular economy for plastics in Vietnam.
“We are very proud to be a founding member of the Public Private Collaboration to develop a circular economy for plastics in Vietnam,” said Mr. Ekkasit Lakkananithiphan, General Director of Dow Vietnam. “As a materials science company and solutions provider, Dow is working with our partners to innovate new products, explore recycling technologies and develop new end markets for recycled plastics to help keep plastics out of the environment.”
Vietnam’s Public Private Collaboration will also focus on increasing the collection of plastics that are typically not collected today, such as single use packaging. This is the first Public Private Collaboration that has ever been initiated to tackle the national issue of plastics waste management. This collaboration is not only limited to the first three enterprises signing the MoU but also calls for the wide participation of other domestic and foreign enterprises. The signing of this MoU is a commitment that will bring positive change to the environment as well as create a driving force for sustainable economic development in Vietnam.
About Dow Vietnam:
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Dow operates 109 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 36,500 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2019. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
Dow has been present in Vietnam since 1995. The Company today gathers around 110 employees at 03 main locations, including 01 manufacturing site in Dong Nai Province, serving customers in the consumer care, infrastructure and packaging industries. Dow is a partner in Vietnam’s economic growth by adding more value to the country’s advanced manufacturing industries, providing more innovative and sustainable solutions to help Vietnam address the challenges and a caring member of the Vietnamese community. For more information, please visit vn.dow.com