PRO Vietnam Honored with Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

The Packaging Recycling Organization Vietnam (PRO Vietnam) is proud to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, recognizing its outstanding contributions to the development of Vietnam’s natural resources and environmental sector.

This achievement reflects PRO Vietnam’s relentless efforts over the past five years to promote a circular economy and contribute to a greener, cleaner, and more beautiful Vietnam.

Since its establishment in 2019, PRO Vietnam has steadily expanded its membership and influence through initiatives to raise public awareness, improve packaging collection and recycling ecosystems, and collaborate with authorities to promote the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

PRO Vietnam has played a key role in working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to develop Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations under the Environmental Protection Law 2020. As the Packaging Industry Lead of the National EPR Taskforce, PRO Vietnam has organized numerous workshops and forums to gather and compile input from businesses, organizations, and regulatory bodies, contributing to the legal framework for EPR (Decree 08/2022/ND-CP and Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT).

Beyond that, PRO Vietnam has invested in and developed practical models for packaging collection and recycling to support the implementation of EPR. Since 2021, the organization has conducted pilot projects across various provinces and cities to test and refine these models. These projects not only provide valuable data but also raise community awareness about waste sorting and recycling at the source.

In 2022–2023, PRO Vietnam successfully identified scalable collection and recycling models, achieving the collection and recycling of over 17,000 tons of packaging.

In 2023, PRO Vietnam Packaging Recycling Joint Stock Company became the first organization authorized by MONRE to implement packaging recycling in Vietnam. Starting in 2024, the organization will carry out EPR activities for its members, targeting the collection and recycling of over 63,000 tons of packaging. This milestone underscores the trust and recognition from government authorities and members alike.

PRO Vietnam has also launched various communication campaigns to inspire community action, such as Recycling Days at Co.opmart supermarkets, Green Tourism Week 2023, and partnerships with Vietnam Television on the “Green Growth” program and Tuoi Tre newspaper on the “Green Vietnam” project. These initiatives encourage businesses and communities to adopt circular economy practices. Additionally, PRO Vietnam co-published the “Learning About 3R” guidebook to enhance understanding of waste sorting and recycling.

Green Vietnam Festival attracts thousands of visitors, especially young people, with the participation of many large businesses.

UBC packaging collection programs at schools to instill recycling habits in students and families.

The organization has also actively supported informal waste collectors—the core force of the recycling network—by providing accident insurance, health insurance, and thousands of protective gear sets.

PRO Vietnam has collaborated with municipal environment companies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to organize meaningful activities such as scholarships and Tet gifts for sanitation workers.

Through these initiatives, PRO Vietnam has cemented its pioneering role in raising community awareness and building a sustainable ecosystem that connects businesses, governments, and the public to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in Vietnam.

The Certificate of Merit from MONRE is a significant acknowledgment of PRO Vietnam’s efforts over the past five years and a motivation for the organization to continue collaborating with MONRE and stakeholders to implement impactful activities for a green and clean Vietnam.

Press Release: Press Release – PROVN Received Certificate of Merit from MONRE