With the goal of gradually reducing products that are harmful to the environment such as plastic waste, legal documents stipulate that after December 31, 2030, to stop the production and import of single-use plastic products.

Gradually reduce the production of single-use plastic products

Decree 08/2022/ND-CP of the Government stipulates a roadmap to limit the production and import of single-use plastic products, “hard-to-biodegradable plastic packaging” and products and goods containing microplastics. Accordingly, from January 1, 2026, it is prohibited to produce and import non-biodegradable plastic bags with dimensions smaller than 50 cm x 50 cm and a film thickness of less than 50 μm, unless Exporting for export or manufacturing or importing to pack products and goods for sale to the market. Organizations and individuals that manufacture and import single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packages must carry out the responsibility for recycling and handling according to the provisions of this Decree.

To gradually reduce the production and import of single-use plastic products, non-biodegradable plastic packaging and products and goods containing microplastics, legal documents stipulate, after December 31, 2030 , stop production, import plastic products using one times (except for products certified with Vietnam’s eco-label), non-biodegradable plastic packaging (including non-biodegradable plastic bags, styrofoam packaging and food containers) and products, goods and services. goods containing microplastics, except for the case of production for export and the production and import of non-biodegradable plastic packaging to pack products and goods for sale to the market.

After 2025, localities will not circulate and use single-use plastic products, non-biodegradable plastic packaging (including non-biodegradable plastic bags, styrofoam packaging boxes, food containers). ) at commercial centers, supermarkets, hotels, tourist resorts, except for products and goods with difficult-to-biodegradable plastic packaging; organize the inspection and examination of the production units of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging in the locality.

Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that in the coming time, the Ministry will coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to synchronously deploy solutions in solid waste management, especially domestic solid waste and waste. plastic; Promote policies to support and encourage businesses and people to invest, produce and use environmentally friendly materials to replace difficult-to-decompose packaging and products, and strengthen inspection, supervise the collection/payment of environmental protection tax and anti-commercial fraud to protect products that have been recognized as environmentally friendly plastic bags.

Ho Chi Minh City strives to 2030, to minimize the use of disposable plastic products, difficult to biodegradable plastic packaging; stop production and import of disposable products, hard-to-biodegradable plastic packaging; stop production and import of single-use plastic products, non-biodegradable plastic packaging and products and goods containing microplastics, except for cases of production for export and cases of production and import of packaging. difficult-to-biodegradable plastic to pack products and goods sold on the market according to regulations.

The Law on Environmental Protection has shown the responsibility of organizations and individuals to limit the use, reduction, classification and disposal of waste that are single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging; Do not dispose of plastic waste directly into drainage systems, ponds, lakes, canals, canals, rivers and oceans.

With plastic waste arising from tourism and marine services, maritime economy, oil and gas exploitation and marine mineral resources, aquaculture and fishing must be collected, stored and transferred to facility with recycling and disposal functions. Environmentally friendly products, substitutes for single-use plastic products and certified non-biodegradable plastic packaging substitutes are entitled to incentives and support in accordance with the law.

Plastic waste must be collected and classified for reuse, recycling or treatment in accordance with the law. Non-recyclable plastic waste must be transferred to a regulated disposal facility. Plastic waste generated from economic activities at sea must be collected for reuse, recycling or treatment and must not be discharged into the sea. The State encourages the reuse and recycling of plastic waste to serve the production of goods, construction materials, and traffic works; encouraging research and development of systems for collecting and treating floating plastic waste in seas and oceans; have policies to promote the reuse and recycling of plastic waste.

Use biodegradable plastic products instead of single-use plastic

In fact, over the years, the research and production of environmentally friendly products has begun to appear in Vietnam. Especially in recent times, a potential material has been mentioned quite a lot: biodegradable plastic.

Biodegradable plastic has 2 types including biodegradable plastic made from renewable sources and the second type is made from recycled materials.
Made from non-renewable materials such as petroleum. Biodegradable plastic is used to make many products such as bags, knives, spoons, forks, straws, food wraps, food containers, fishing nets, agricultural films and even medical products. such as sutures, gauze, medicine shells, etc.

With the superiority of biodegradable plastic, it is known that it can be completely decomposed in a very short time from 6-12 months into water, CO2 and biomass, leaving no harmful substances for the environment and especially the environment. especially safe for the health of consumers.

Having many outstanding advantages, biodegradable plastic is increasingly popular around the world. Currently, the world’s consumption of biodegradable plastic has reached over 2.5 million tons/year, of which 75% is used for the production of biodegradable packaging.

According to Mr. Nguyen Le Trung, Vice Chairman of An Phat Holdings, General Director of An Phat Xanh Plastic Joint Stock Company, Vietnam’s plan after 2030 to stop producing single-use plastic products will expand opportunities for enterprises producing environmentally friendly plastic. It is estimated that about 500,000 tons of single-use plastic products being consumed on the market are banned from use and need to find alternative products, then only biodegradable bags can completely meet the demand, friendly. environment. This product has been proven in the European market.

A statistic shows that, in the structure of the plastic industry, packaging plastic accounts for the largest proportion of 36% with about 2.1 million tons (in 2017). To replace this product, the potential of bioplastics is relatively large. It is estimated that with the world’s replacement rate of about 1%, the total demand for bioplastics in Vietnam will be about 60,000 tons per year. This output is relatively large with the annual growth rate of Vietnam’s plastic demand of 10.8%, the development potential of bioplastics is very wide.