Representatives of Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA and the Provincial Women's Union presented bins for sorting waste and composting organic waste to local people. Photo: NGOC DUNG

Raising awareness

Currently, the amount of domestic waste in localities is increasing, creating great pressure on the already inadequate and unsynchronized treatment system, while posing many challenges to the environment and public health. Waste classification at source not only helps reduce the amount of waste that must be buried, but also creates favorable conditions for recycling, reuse, minimizing environmental pollution and saving treatment costs.

Recently, Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, funded by the Australian Government, in collaboration with the Provincial Women's Union, implemented a project to develop capacity in environmental protection and climate change mitigation for the period 2024-2027 in Hoa Hiep Trung Ward (Dong Hoa Town). One of the outstanding activities of the project is the training program on waste classification and treatment at source in this locality.

At the training course, local leaders, people and especially women's union members of Hoa Hiep Trung ward listened to Mr. Huynh Huy Viet, Head of the General Department - Environmental Impact Assessment, Department of Environmental Protection and Seas and Islands (Department of Agriculture and Environment) disseminate information about the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and techniques for waste classification, resource conversion of household waste at source in accordance with local conditions; the importance of proper waste treatment. In addition, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union Tran Thi Binh also introduced models of household waste classification and recycling; at the same time, affirmed the important role of the union organization, cadres, women's union members and the community in environmental protection.

Pioneers in behavior change

Ms. Hoang Thi Le Hang, Chief Representative of APHEDA Vietnam shared: As the ones who usually take on housework and family care, women have long played a key role in collecting, classifying, recycling and treating waste at source in households, while contributing to forming awareness and changing environmental protection behaviors for children and family members. Through this project, we hope to accompany the Phu Yen Women's Union to continue to improve the capacity of the organization and women's union members, thereby promoting the role of women in environmental protection and responding to climate change.

According to Ms. Hang, for many years now, women's unions at all levels in Phu Yen have been implementing programs to promote and mobilize members to participate in environmental protection. This project not only continues to promote the proactive role of the union, but also develops the capacity of cadres, members and communities in minimizing the impact of climate change through practical daily actions.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay, a resident of Hoa Hiep Trung ward, said: “In the past, waste was often considered worthless. However, after being trained, I learned how to collect, classify and recycle plastic waste and organic waste; know how to make use of organic waste such as leaves and leftover food to make compost, both protecting the environment and saving on household expenses.”

In addition to the propaganda activities, the project also supports 10 “Green House” models for Hoa Hiep Trung residents to collect recyclable waste, 33 classified waste bins, and 20 organic waste compost bins using IMO microorganisms. These are important devices that help households easily apply source-based waste classification effectively and sustainably. In particular, the organization has previously launched a Community Monitoring Team to coordinate propaganda, raise awareness, and monitor the implementation of waste classification at each household during the project implementation period.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoa, a local resident, shared: "Hoa Hiep Trung has 4.5km of coastline, most of the people live mainly on exploitation and aquaculture. After participating in the training course, I will work with the locality to actively propagate and mobilize people to collect garbage in the right place when fishing at sea, bring it ashore for treatment, and absolutely not litter into the ocean to protect the marine environment."

According to Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union Tran Thi Binh, as the core force in the transformation of behavior in classifying, treating and recycling household waste, the initiators of positive changes in each family; with the support of organizations, local authorities and the joint efforts of people, especially women members, in the coming time, Phu Yen Women's Union at all levels will continue to propagate to raise awareness, change behavior, build a community of residents with awareness of classifying and treating waste effectively at the source. Thereby contributing to preserving the ecosystem, strongly spreading the spirit of green, clean and beautiful living in the community, protecting public health and moving towards sustainable development.

In the coming time, Phu Yen Women's Union at all levels will continue to raise awareness, change behavior, and build a community of residents who are aware of classifying and effectively treating waste at source. Thereby contributing to preserving the ecosystem, strongly spreading the spirit of green, clean, and beautiful living in the community, protecting public health and moving towards sustainable development.

Vice President of Provincial Women's Union Tran Thi Binh