“At first, only a few people supported us. Some even laughed and commented that we were ‘meddling in unnecessary matters’ or ‘why would a women’s union go around collecting waste and scrap materials?’”
That was how Ms. Le Thi Minh Hue, Head of the Women’s Union of Quarter 5, Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City, described the early challenges in their journey to promote a greener lifestyle.

However, those remarks did not discourage them. Driven by the vision “For a Green Ha Long, for a world without plastic waste,” the women of Quarter 5 organize a monthly waste collection and sorting activity among households in the neighborhood. The collected recyclable materials are sold to raise funds, which are then used to support families facing difficult circumstances or to contribute to other community activities. Today, many more residents have joined the effort, recognizing the meaningful impact of what these women are doing.

Facing the growing problem of waste and plastic pollution, the Women’s Union of Quarter 5, Hong Hai Ward has taken the initiative to actively improve the situation. They participated in training sessions on plastic waste reduction and formed a core group of women leaders, including heads and deputy heads of local Women’s Union chapters, initially consisting of about 20 members.

Although the first steps were challenging, they remained determined. The members visited each household, encouraging residents to participate and collecting items such as aluminum cans, cardboard, and plastic bottles. These small daily efforts gradually created a strong ripple effect in the community. Across Ha Long City, a total of 572 core Women’s Union members have participated in related training activities (197 in the third year, 200 in the second year, and 175 in the first year).

Over time, as the program gained stable funding and the Women’s Union promoted household waste sorting, the initiative attracted increasing public attention.

“The most important thing is helping women develop the habit of sorting waste at home first,” Ms. Hue explained.
“Organic waste such as vegetable scraps can be composted into fertilizer, while recyclable materials like cans and plastic bottles are stored. Then, on collection week, usually on Sunday afternoon of the last week of the month, households bring their waste to the team leader’s house or the neighborhood sorting point for processing.”

Today, more than 200 households across Hong Hai Ward have joined the program. Residents are enthusiastic and proud to contribute to such a meaningful community initiative.

Ms. Hue also shared that the waste collection work brings both moments of joy and moments of concern. The numbers collected each month reflect a worrying reality about plastic consumption in Vietnam. After each collection, plastic waste is consistently the most common, especially beverage cans and plastic bottles. In total, the initiative has recorded 92,487 kg of plastic waste, equivalent to 2,802,664 plastic bottles.

Faced with such staggering figures, the people of Ha Long City are determined not to let the numbers continue to grow. After three years, the training program “Enhancing Capacity for the Ha Long City Women’s Union in Developing Strategic Plans to Reduce Household Waste and Single Use Plastics,” under the Plastic Action Network project, has engaged a total of 28,993 Women’s Union members across Ha Long City.

After each waste collection activity, the Women’s Union of Quarter 5 raises funds by selling the collected recyclables and setting aside a portion in a community savings piggy bank. Although the amount is modest, it serves as meaningful support for people in difficult circumstances.

Every year on October 20 (Vietnamese Women’s Day), the piggy bank is opened and the funds are used to visit and support women in need. Another portion is added to the Union’s operating fund. These funds support many community activities, such as assisting disadvantaged students at the start of the school year or visiting veterans and wounded soldiers.

Previously, when the fund was limited, members had to contribute 1,000 VND each to raise money. Since launching the recycling initiative, this is no longer necessary. The amount available for community visits has increased from 200,000 VND to around 300,000–500,000 VND each time.

In addition, part of the fund can now help cover lunch for members during gatherings on March 8 or October 20.

What may seem like a small action has brought significant benefits, not only for the environment but also for people in difficult circumstances within the community.