UNDP helps Binh Dinh tackle marine waste problem

Two new projects funded by UNDP in the south-central province of Binh Dinh are expected to prevent around five tons of plastic from entering the sea per month.

The projects aim to empower waste management workers and strengthen their resilience to vulnerabilities. They will also pilot a waste management model in the fisheries sector that will encourage fishermen to bring back their waste ashore after every trip.

A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) will be established to improve the local material value chain, support replication and expansion, and ensure the sustainability of integrated solid waste management models.

“We expect the MRF will be able to process up to 2-4 tonnes of plastic per day for reuse in secondary markets, which would help Quy Nhon Town (capital of Binh Dinh) prevent plastic from ending up in landfills or in the ocean,” said Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam.

“We will also work with Quy Nhon to accelerate household waste sorting, while introducing innovative alternatives to plastics,” Wiesen added.

Binh Dinh’s total domestic solid waste (DSW) is about 900 tonnes per day. The collection rate is about 47-90% in urban areas (94% in Quy Nhon and 30% in rural areas). According to data from a UNDP preliminary survey in 2022, just 17% of the DSW is recycled, 20% of which is plastic waste.

The Binh Dinh People's Committee and UNDP Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation in circular economy and waste management; sustainable development of ocean economy; climate change and biodiversity; mine action; and sustainable rural development.