The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and development partners launched the project “For a World Without Waste” in Hanoi on October 17. 

Chief representative of UNESCO Office in Hanoi Michael Croft at the event

The event aimed to gather UN agencies, government and non-governmental organisations, private sector and students in collective activities to reduce plastic and solid wastes in Vietnam, mostly in tourist attractions, world heritage sites and coastal communities. 

Chief representative of UNESCO Office in Hanoi Michael Croft highlighted creative approaches to dealing with environment issues, especially creating artworks from wastes to change behaviours toward environment. 

General Manager of Coca-Cola Indochina Hiroshi Kanazawa said in early 2018, Coca Cola announced the global campaign “World Without Waste” with a view to collecting and recycling all cans and bottles it sells globally by 2030. 

The campaign will focus on the entire packaging lifecycle – from how bottles and cans are designed and made, to how they are recycled and repurposed. 

Coca-Cola also partnered with the British Council via a programme enabling access to clean water at Ekocenter across the country within two years, focusing on raising public awareness of environment and waste management. 

Permanent Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Nguyen Anh Tuan said the committee has held specific activities to raise youths’ awareness of the environment protection, including the campaign “Let’s clean up the sea” attracting tens of thousands of young people, contributing to mitigating waste pollution in Vietnam’s beaches. 

UNESCO and Coca-Cola will announce recycling art awards to seek creative ideas among youths aged 15 or older in the use of recycled materials. They will also offer a financial aid worth 100 million VND (4,300 USD) to materialise the best ideas.-VNA