(Press release) PRO VIETNAM ANNOUNCED 2026 ROADMAP: SYSTEM TRANSPARENCY – STRENGTHENING SOCIAL TRUST

Ho Chi Minh City, January 30, 2026 – Packaging Recycling Organization Vietnam (PRO Vietnam) held the Workshop “PRO Vietnam Member Communication & Connection 2026”, officially establishing the focus of action for the next phase: shifting from raising awareness to demonstrating the effective operational performance of the collection – recycling system.

A 2025 survey (conducted by PRO Vietnam in collaboration with TGM Research) shows that Vietnamese consumers are ready to participate in waste sorting at source, with a very high level of interest and support for environmental initiatives. However, the data also points to a key “bottleneck”: the public’s trust in whether sorted waste is collected and recycled properly.

From this result, PRO Vietnam identifies that the biggest challenge today lies not in social awareness, but in the transparency and consistency of the operating system behind it. When trust is reinforced by data and verifiable results, waste sorting at source can become a sustainable behavior.

Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc Trai – PRO Vietnam Chairman, giving his speech at the workshop. Photo: PRO Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of PRO Vietnam emphasized:

“People are ready, they have been sorting waste at source, and they are willing to do even better. Our responsibility today is to prove that: when people sort waste seriously, the system behind it operates just as seriously.”

PRO Vietnam believes that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy is an important foundation for realizing the 3R principles (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle), provided that the implementation is stable, transparent, and predictable. When implemented consistently, EPR not only encourages businesses to invest in eco-design and recycled materials but also contributes to the development of a market for PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials, thereby improving the efficiency of resource recovery and product life-cycle extension.

On that basis, PRO Vietnam sets out three priorities in their action plans for 2026:

1. Data-based and result-oriented communication to drive behavioral changes;
2. Build the scale of the collection and recycling system for growth, and operate with transparency and efficiency;
3. Invest in science, technology and R&D, aiming to enhance post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials’ value, decrease dependence on virgin materials and minimize landfill waste.

The workshop had attracted over 60 guests, who are representatives of 25 member enterprises and partners of the Coalition. Photo: PRO Vietnam.

PRO Vietnam affirms that the focus of the next phase is not just raising awareness but demonstrating through action that the system behind is capable, transparent, and serious enough to meet the readiness of the people, thereby creating a solid foundation for the circular economy and sustainable EPR implementation in Vietnam.

At the conference, PRO Vietnam and its members, partners, had discussions to improve operational efficiency in terms of communication & contribute to policy development. PRO Vietnam commits to continue accompanying the Government and relevant parties to promote EPR implementation and the circular economy in Vietnam, steadfast in its vision for a green, clean, and beautiful Vietnam.