VB4E contributes to promoting communications to reduce single-use plastic bags at supermarkets/retailers 

With the aim of promoting communication to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags at supermarkets/retailers, on November 26, 2021, the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), the Hanoi Department of Industry Trade, Vietnam Business for Environment (VB4E) co-organized the businesses consultation meeting on the “Alliance’s Communication Plan for plastic bags usage reduction” with retailers and stakeholders. 

Currently, 15 enterprises have signed agreements to join the Plastic Alliance (a coalition of supermarkets and retailers committed to decreasing single-use plastic products) initiated by ISPONRE and Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade. This activity is a part of the project “Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter” funded by the European Union and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Expertise France is the implementing agency of this project in Viet Nam.  

The meeting welcomed representatives from Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, IUCN, ISPONRE, VB4E, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation, WWF and 15 retailers, including AEON, Mega Market, An Nam, TH Truemart, Lock & Lock, Lotte, Big C, the Bodyshop, Coopermart … and other stakeholders. 

The main objectives of the meeting were to discuss the project’s Communication Plan and to propose communication activities implemented in 2021 & 2022 and collaborative plan between the Alliance business members and partners. 

Currently, there are 3 retailers in the Alliance pioneering the reduction of single-use plastic bags: Decathlon’s Hanoi branch, MM Mega Market supermarket chain and Annam Gourmet Market. However, their efforts were hindered by multiple obstacles, mainly the consumers’ awareness, inconsistency in communication strategies and plans among retailers and lack of resources. Other retailers also highlighted the difficulties in reducing single-use plastic bags, including balancing the interests of businesses, consumers and the environment and the high cost of reusable bags. 

To deal with these difficulties, participating retailers have proposed many practical suggestions: initiating a joint communication message of the Project taken by retailers, a consistent communication message; increasing communication through both traditional and non-traditional media channels; producing videos on the harmful impacts of plastic waste and positive effects of environmentally friendly bags; helping consumers feel interested not pushed; collaborating with associations and production units in Hanoi to promote communications, etc. Additionally, the development of a step-by-step roadmap and accurate measurement indicators and reusable bags subsidization will ease the transitional process.  

For Vietnamese Stature Foundation’s representative also shared the goals of sustainable development and environmental protection. The Foundation is willing to cooperate with retailers to design and build communication activities such as exhibitions or contests on plastic waste pollution. 

In the coming time, VB4E will cooperate with ISPONRE and the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation to continue working with the Alliances and supporting the implementation of supermarkets and retailers’ communication activities to raise the awareness of customers in reducing the use of single-use plastic bags.