Reducing plastic waste in production and business
Many businesses and commercial establishments in Hai Phong are gradually changing their technologies and business practices to reduce the amount of plastic waste released into the environment.
Changes in materials and technology
According to statistics from Hai Phong Urban Environment One Member Co., Ltd., the city generates about 2,000 tons of household waste every day, of which plastic waste accounts for around 10%. Reducing the use of hard-to-decompose plastic products has become a requirement for production and business activities.
In early 2026, Hai Ha Packaging JSC in Tien Lang Commune invested in equipment improvements, upgraded its technology and switched to producing biodegradable packaging. Instead of using petroleum-based materials, the new technology makes use of agricultural by-products to produce recycled packaging, combined with bio-based materials such as corn, potato and cassava starch and various grains.
The new materials enable the company’s products to biodegrade by more than 90% within about 18 months after disposal.
Changing materials and technology is a positive approach, but it cannot be implemented in a short period of time. Costs for equipment, material sources, quality control requirements and product prices are all issues that businesses must carefully consider.
This experience shows that, alongside businesses' initiative, support policies are needed for technology, capital and materials, as well as mechanisms to encourage the market for environmentally friendly products. These will provide motivation for more production establishments to undertake the transition.
From sales counters to consumption habits
Not only production establishments, but businesses involved in trading, distribution and retail are also implementing various solutions to limit plastic waste.
For many years, GO! Hai Duong supermarket has used biodegradable bags in its sales operations. The supermarket also sells reusable bags for VND 10,000 and VND 15,000 each, depending on size, thereby encouraging customers to reduce their use of single-use bags.
The supermarket is also promoting paper straws and reusable household items as alternatives to single-use plastic products. Goods delivered to customers are packaged in cardboard boxes. Biodegradable bags have also become a best-selling item, attracting the attention of many consumers in recent years.
According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the city currently has 32 supermarkets and 15 shopping centers, all of which have regulations, commitments or plans to limit the use of single-use plastic products and hard-to-decompose plastic bags. The Department of Industry and Trade is also stepping up communications and encouraging businesses to reduce their use of plastic bags and switch to environmentally friendly alternatives.
According to Nguyen Quoc Huy, Head of the Industrial Management Division under the Department of Industry and Trade, reducing plastic waste in production and business should begin with changes in materials and production organization. Many businesses are paying greater attention to new technologies, materials and biodegradable products.
Reducing plastic waste cannot be the responsibility of just a few businesses or individual models. From factories and supermarkets to individual households, every change in production, business and consumption can contribute to reducing the amount of plastic waste generated. When these changes become habits and are implemented consistently, efforts to reduce plastic waste will deliver tangible results.
HUYEN TRANG