July 3 marks International Plastic Bag Free Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags and promoting sustainable alternatives. Plastic bags, which contribute significantly to pollution and harm marine life, are used in staggering quantities worldwide. This day encourages individuals, businesses and governments to reduce plastic bag consumption through simple actions like using reusable bags, supporting local initiatives and advocating for environmentally-friendly policies. In addition to advocating for systemic change, individuals can also make small changes every day to collectively work toward a cleaner, healthier planet.

Building on the success of July 3, 2023, the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) and the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade launched the 2024 No Plastic Bag Day campaign with the message “Less Plastic Bags, More Life.” This event marks the second year that No Plastic Bag Day has been organized and implemented in Vietnam.

To reduce the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic products, the Alliance of Retailers for Reducing Plastic Bag Consumption, consisting of 16 retailers, was established in 2021. The formation of the Alliance of Retailers is part of the project “Initiative to Establish a Supermarket Alliance to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Bag Consumption in Vietnam,” carried out by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and the European Union/Expertise France.

In their activities so far, Alliance members have partnered with ISPONRE to organize numerous communication campaigns on reducing single-use plastic bag usage and implementing solutions to minimize plastic waste in shopping and consumption, including this year’s No Plastic Bag Day. 

This year’s campaign is supported by Pacific Environment Vietnam, with the aim of raising awareness and promoting changes in consumer behavior to achieve the goal of reducing the use of plastic bags and single-use plastics as soon as possible.

Attending the event, Ms. Trần Thị Kim Tuyến, Communications Manager at Pacific Environment Vietnam (PE-VN), stated, “Pacific Environment Vietnam considers plastic pollution a major challenge that needs to be addressed. Through coordinated activities with agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as international and local NGOs, PE-VN hopes to support communities in changing behavior to reduce plastic use, especially single-use plastics.”

“Through meaningful activities such as the ‘Less Plastic Bag, More Life’ campaign, we hope to help the community change habits and behaviors to reduce the use of plastic bags and decrease the amount of plastic waste in the environment, aiming for a sustainable future that ensures the health of nature, animals and people,” said Ms. Trần Thị Kim Tuyến.

In addition, a series of events in response to International Plastic Bag Free Day has been launched at various supermarkets and retailers nationwide from June 29 to July 3 including activities to raise customer awareness about reducing plastic bag consumption, providing engaging and beneficial experiences for the community. These activities include mini games with Q&A sessions related to plastic waste, learning through play, lucky wheel spins, a photo booth, messages to the future and an online “Less Plastic Bags, More Life” competition. 

Coming up soon is a new seminar, “Promoting Solutions to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Products in Vietnam,” taking place in Hanoi at the end of July to discuss suitable solutions for reducing the consumption of single-use plastic products in Vietnam.