Workshop raises public awareness of environmental protection

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Director of the Live & Learn Centre Do Van Nguyet said the event provides a platform to review changes in waste treatment, green practices and environmental protection initiatives. 

Chau Ngoc Cam Van, Vice Secretary of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment, told a story about a journey to save paper milk boxes, which were collected by young people to transfer to a recycling plant to produce pulp and ecological roofing sheets from aluminum and plastics. 

Some 15 billion paper milk boxes are used nationwide each year, equivalent to 150,000 tonnes which could be recycled into books and notebooks, print papers and carton boxes. However, due to their low value and foul smell, recycling remains limited, she said. 

Le Hoang Phuong from the Transport Ministry’s project 6 management board said due to technological development, e-waste has increased, including televisions, printers and mobile phones, which contain toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, copper, aluminium, iron and zinc. Without proper treatment, they could pollute land, water and air. 

In Hanoi, free e-waste collecting points have been put into operation in Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts, she said, suggesting that e-waste should be classified at home to make recycling easier. 

Hosted by the Live & Learn Centre, the French Cultural Centre L’ Espace and Vietnam Youth Parliament, the event was part of the Clean Air – Green City project funded by the US Agency for International Development which aims to benefit children, youths and residential areas, especially those affected by pollution in Hanoi./.

VNA