On January 14, 2023, the Women's Union of Bac Tu Liem District, in collaboration with the Center for Green Development Support (GreenHub) and Keep Vietnam Clean, launched the campaign "Reducing Plastic Waste Pollution – Release Fish Without Plastic Bags" in celebration of the Kitchen Gods’ Festival across 10 out of 13 wards in Bac Tu Liem District.

From January 11 to January 14, 2023, the Women’s Union in these 10 wards actively organized awareness activities to educate residents through various means, including Facebook and Zalo community groups, mobile loudspeakers, public broadcasting, and direct advocacy at 29 fish-releasing locations throughout the district.

This year's campaign was a significant success, as the Bac Tu Liem Women’s Union expanded the initiative from just one ward and one fish-releasing location last year to 10 wards and 29 locations across the district. By the end of the campaign, nearly 100 Women's Union members participated, collecting approximately 300 kg of plastic waste generated during the fish-releasing process.

Many participants noted a noticeable improvement in public awareness compared to the previous year. More residents refrained from discarding plastic bags into ponds, lakes, and rivers when releasing fish. Notably, some residents demonstrated creativity and environmental awareness by using buckets, basins, or bowls instead of plastic bags. These positive changes can be attributed to the continuous and proactive awareness efforts carried out throughout the campaign.

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This article is part of the "Local Solutions for Plastic Pollution" (LSPP) project, funded by USAID under the "Vietnam Local Works for Environmental Health" program. The project is implemented by GreenHub in collaboration with three partners (ISPONRE, HUPH-VOHUN, and GIMASYS).