'Green' products more costly than traditional ones: exec

Products manufactured using eco-friendly processes are often more expensive than traditional ones, posing a major challenge for businesses transitioning to green production, said Nguyen Bich Dien, deputy general director of Fashion Link JSC (Faslink).

Dien made the statement at a press meeting for the Green Transformation Forum and the 2025 Recycling Festival, held in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday.

Green transformation comes with significant challenges

According to Dien, Faslink, along with many other textile and garment enterprises pursuing green transformation, faces two main challenges.

The first is pricing: eco-friendly materials and sustainable production methods generally drive up product costs compared to conventional products.

The second challenge lies in business growth. Implementing green practices and producing eco-conscious goods require both time and financial investment, which can slow down growth.

She also noted that while many universities have developed green solutions through research - such as fabric made from banana peels and mushrooms - scaling these innovations to industrial levels requires multiple factors. Interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across sectors are essential to bring these products to the market.

A representative from Duy Tan Recycled Plastic JSC shared that the company collects plastic bottles from the environment. If waste is properly sorted, the bottles are cleaner and easier to recycle, reducing processing time.

The representative also expressed hope that authorities would introduce standards for eco-labeling plastic products to help consumers recognize sustainable choices.

At the event, Nguyen Nhu Quynh, a representative of the Saigon Xanh Club (a youth-led environmental initiative), introduced a solar-powered robot designed to collect trash from waterways. The robot has been tested in the canals of District 7 in HCMC.

“In the early stages, we faced some challenges. But we hope to replicate this underwater garbage-collection robot model across Ho Chi Minh City and eventually have it replace manual labor,” said Quynh.

She added that the robot’s performance is affected by weather and the size of waste items, which may not always fit its intake system.

A showcase of green innovation

The Green Transformation Forum will take place on July 31 at Thong Nhat Hall in HCMC, just over a week after the press conference. The event will bring together nearly 500 participants, including representatives from ministries, central and local government agencies, businesses, international organizations, universities, and the environmental startup community.

Vu Kim Hanh, president of the Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Goods Enterprises, shared that the forum will spotlight a wide range of innovative green products. These include 3D printers made from recycled plastic (along with printed products), shopping bags crafted from fishing nets, garbage-collecting robots, and smart waste barriers.

Also featured will be booths showcasing bio-based and paper packaging, refill stations, and eco-cleaning products made from pineapple peels - highlighting the growing circular economy and trends in sustainable living and responsible consumption.

The exhibition will also display items crafted from native materials like luffa fiber, sedge grass, and coconut fiber, repurposed by artisans into handbags and household goods. Fabric scraps from garment factories are being turned into tote bags, scrunchies, and more.

Several student groups will present innovations such as mango peel leather, coconut fiber seed-planting pellets, and air purifiers made from microorganisms.

“These projects are living proof of how technology, creativity, and environmental awareness can come together. Green transformation is no longer a concept - it’s a necessity,” she emphasized. “This forum is not just a venue for policy discussions or technological displays. It’s a meeting place for people who are actively building a sustainable future,” said Hanh.