Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai: ‘PRO Vietnam will inspire and join hands to build a sustainable future’

At the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam), Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai – Chairman of PRO Vietnam – said that in 2019, PRO Vietnam was established with a clear mission: “Promoting the circular economy in Vietnam and making packaging recycling more accessible and sustainable”.

Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai – Chairman of Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance – speaking at the 5th anniversary of the alliance – Photo: QUANG DINH

PRO Vietnam to collect and recycle 64.000 tons of packaging in 2024
According to Mr. Ngoc Trai, with a high sense of responsibility and vision for a greener, cleaner and more beautiful Vietnam, PRO Vietnam was officially established in 2019 with 9 founding members.

Mr. Trai said that the birth of PRO Vietnam was Government highly appreciated and received strong support from the business community. After 5 years of operation, the alliance has 30 members, each company is a leader in its field.

The Chairman of PRO Vietnam said that the alliance’s mission does not stop at connecting members and actively cooperating with government agencies, but also builds strategic partnerships, shares knowledge, resources and experiences to promote innovative solutions in recycling and reusing packaging.

In particular, PRO Vietnam has made important contributions by making recommendations to the Government, supporting the development and revision of policies related to the Environmental Protection Law and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in line with industry practices.

PRO Vietnam members bring to the exhibition space products and services, demonstrating diversity and connectivity in the value chain, all aiming towards a circular economic model and sustainable development – Photo: QUANG DINH

Inside, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recognized Vietnam Packaging Recycling Joint Stock Company (a non-profit social enterprise) as the first authorized organization to recycle packaging in Vietnam.

In addition, Mr. Trai said that when the EPR regulation comes into effect in 2024, PRO Vietnam commits to collecting and recycling about 64.000 tons of packaging authorized by member businesses.

According to Mr. Trai, PRO Vietnam has implemented many activities to convey positive orientations and create a far-reaching influence to promote the circular economy, including the communication project “Green Vietnam” cooperate with newspaper Youth.

“Thanks to PRO Vietnam’s efforts, we have witnessed positive changes in consumer awareness, with more and more organizations and businesses prioritizing recycling and environmental protection. The participation and support of agencies, organizations and local authorities has been a great source of motivation, affirming that the path PRO Vietnam has chosen is the right one. We hope to inspire the community to join hands in building a sustainable future for Vietnam,” said Mr. Trai.

PRO Vietnam is a leader in packaging recycling.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa – Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment – said that the initiative to establish PRO Vietnam to act together to promote the circular economy for a clean, green and beautiful Vietnam by businesses is highly appreciated by the Government.

According to Ms. Hoa, after 5 years of operation, PRO Vietnam has truly been a pioneer in the packaging recycling industry, an important bridge connecting and cooperating with domestic and international enterprises… In particular, the ministry highly appreciates the alliance’s contributions in developing regulations on extended producer responsibility (EPR) as well as in implementing these regulations from 2024.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa – Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment – said that the ministry continues to coordinate with PRO Vietnam to implement policies and programs to support waste classification at source – Photo: QUANG DINH

Meanwhile, Mr. Bui The Duy – Deputy Minister Science and technology – believes that Vietnam has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 0, so digital transformation and green transformation for sustainable development are inevitable trends.

According to Mr. Duy, businesses cannot develop and compete without a green development strategy, aiming for a circular economy… so the role of science, technology and innovation is very important.

Mr. Duy hopes that PRO Vietnam will continue to provide support and initiatives to create an ecosystem and form solutions to replicate for many Vietnamese businesses.

Tuoi Tre Newspaper is currently a strategic media partner with PRO Vietnam, jointly organizing many activities towards sustainable development, including the “Green Vietnam” program. In the photo, Mr. Tran Xuan Toan – Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper (in white shirt) talks with Mr. Khuat Quang Hung – Director of External Affairs and Communications of Nestlé Vietnam (left cover) and Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan – Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development Research – on the sidelines of the program – Photo: QUANG DINH

Shaping the future of the circular economy

TH Group said that the green economic model – circular economy is pioneered in applying in all member units – Photo: QUANG DINH

According to PRO Vietnam, in the coming years, the alliance wishes to continue its pioneering role, being an important factor contributing together with the business community and the whole society towards a truly sustainable circular economic model. PRO Vietnam will contribute to creating positive changes in consumption and production habits for a green, clean and beautiful Vietnam in the future.

Exchange with Youth Online sidelines, Mr. Mandal Arghya – Director of TH True MILK Joint Stock Company – said that Vietnam is facing environmental problems such as plastic waste pollution, inefficiency in resource management and overconsumption of non-renewable energy.

According to him, large corporations are beginning to become more aware of their environmental responsibilities and are adopting initiatives to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

However, this has only stopped at the level of awareness and initial implementation, while the connection between sectors, state management agencies and communities to create a comprehensive circular ecosystem is still weak.

Therefore, Mr. Mandal Arghya proposed that there should be more specific policies from the Government to encourage and promote businesses to convert from a linear production model to a circular model.

This not only includes financial support policies but also requires the establishment of technical standards, production processes as well as providing the necessary resources for businesses to operate more effectively in this model.

PRO Vietnam said that the alliance is not only a place for businesses to cooperate and share the goal of packaging recycling, but also an alliance that goes beyond the limits of competition in the market, together developing innovative solutions to protect the environment and improve product life cycles – Photo: QUANG DINH

PRO Vietnam’s member companies, from large consumer businesses to collection and recycling units, have been working together to create a sustainable ecosystem, contributing to building a solid foundation for the circular economic model in Vietnam – Photo: QUANG DINH

With 9 founding members being Vietnamese and FDI enterprises in the consumer goods sector, PRO Vietnam has made encouraging developments, and to date the number of members has increased to 30 enterprises – Photo: QUANG DINH

PRO Vietnam has built effective collection and recycling models – Photo: QUANG DINH

“PRO Vietnam not only contributes to environmental protection but also creates opportunities for ‘corporate citizens’ through cooperation and shared responsibility,” said Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai – Photo: QUANG DINH

Sources: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-pham-phu-ngoc-trai-pro-viet-nam-se-truyen-cam-hung-chung-tay-xay-dung-tuong-lai-ben-vung-20241014203112541.htm