HaUI joins hands to "Beat Plastic Pollution" on World Environment Day 2025

The escalating crisis of environmental pollution, particularly that stemming from plastic waste, represents a critical and pervasive global challenge. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), global plastic production currently stands at approximately 430 million tons annually. A significant majority of this, exceeding two-thirds, comprises single-use products that rapidly transition into waste, leading to severe oceanic contamination and profound adverse impacts on both ecosystems and human health.

Vietnam faces a similarly concerning situation, with an estimated 1.8 million tons of plastic waste generated each year, of which a mere 27% undergoes recycling. In light of this pressing context, UNEP has designated "Beat Plastic Pollution" as the central theme for World Environment Day 2025, serving as an urgent global mandate for decisive action. In robust alignment with this appeal, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) has meticulously formulated a comprehensive plan and initiated a series of impactful activities throughout its Environmental Action Month, thereby underscoring the pivotal role and collective responsibility of the younger generation in safeguarding our planet.

The launch event for HaUI's 'Beat Plastic Pollution' campaign saw the presence of key university figures, including Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Vice Rector of HaUI; Mr. Do Minh Hien, Secretary of the Youth Union; and Mr. Vu Thai Giang, Deputy Head of the Asset Management Department. Their participation underscored HaUI's unified commitment to environmental sustainability.

HaUI: A Commitment to environmental stewardship

The inherent creativity, fervent enthusiasm, and rapid technological adaptability of the youth position them as vanguards in transforming societal awareness and behavior regarding environmental protection. With a profound understanding of this imperative, HaUI has officially commenced Plan No. 300/KH-ĐHCN, designed to commemorate World Environment Day (June 5) and the Environmental Action Month 2025. These wide-ranging activities are being systematically implemented across all three of the university's campuses, spanning from June 2 to June 30, 2025, with a concentrated period of high-impact initiatives scheduled between June 2 and June 9, 2025. The overarching objective for HaUI is to elevate awareness and cultivate positive behavioral shifts among its distinguished faculty, dedicated staff, and diligent student body concerning the imperative to "Beat Plastic Pollution."

Comprehensive Strategies and Tangible Actions

HaUI's responsive initiatives have been meticulously crafted to be multifaceted, ensuring strict adherence to directives issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Industrial Safety Techniques and Environmental Protection (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade), and the Ministry of Education and Training.

• Intensified Communication Campaigns: The university is significantly amplifying its communication endeavors through the strategic placement of banners, billboards, and posters emblazoned with the "Beat Plastic Pollution" theme in prominent campus areas. Concurrently, a robust communication campaign has been launched across all institutional digital platforms, including those managed by the university, the Youth Union, and the Student Association.
• Knowledge Dissemination and Capacity Building: HaUI is diligently organizing a series of specialized seminars, expert workshops, and insightful talk shows. These platforms are designed to impart in-depth knowledge concerning environmental conservation principles and advanced solutions for plastic waste management.
• Direct Environmental Engagement: In parallel with its comprehensive communication efforts, HaUI is orchestrating extensive environmental clean-up campaigns, drawing enthusiastic participation from a broad spectrum of students. Volunteers are actively collaborating to meticulously tidy university grounds, dormitory premises, and adjacent public spaces.
• Promotion of Resource Recovery and Waste Minimization: Significant emphasis is being placed on source-based waste segregation and the systematic collection of plastics, aluminum, and paper for recycling. Notably, the university has issued a directive to restrict the sale of products encased in plastic packaging and plastic bags within all campus canteens, thereby unequivocally demonstrating a resolute commitment to mitigating plastic waste at its very origin.
• Advancement of Energy Efficiency: Furthermore, vigorous initiatives promoting energy conservation and emission reduction are being actively implemented. These endeavors encourage all faculty, staff, and students to judiciously conserve electricity, water, and printing paper, abstain from the use of plastic bags, and concurrently champion the utilization of personal reusable water bottles while rigorously minimizing the consumption of single-use plastic items.

Mr. Vu Thai Giang, Deputy Head of HaUI's Asset Management Department, articulated a profound aspiration: "It is my fervent hope that every faculty member, staff member, and student will embody the role of an environmental ambassador, serving as a vanguard in transforming awareness and behavior for environmental betterment, and disseminating a green lifestyle to their peers, families, and broader communities."

Fostering a Culture of Environmental Responsibility

Throughout the duration of this pivotal campaign, impactful messages are being widely propagated, including: "For a Vietnam free of plastic waste – Act today, live green tomorrow," "Reduce plastic waste – Preserve forests, preserve oceans, preserve the future," "Green action – Every citizen is an environmental warrior," "Source sorting – A small step, a big transformation," and "Youth unafraid of challenges – Act for a green Earth."

Through this cohesive engagement and the implementation of tangible, pragmatic actions, Hanoi University of Industry is not merely contributing to heightened environmental awareness within its institutional framework but is also effectively disseminating a profound sense of responsibility to the wider community. These concerted efforts unequivocally affirm the university's steadfast commitment to collaboratively addressing the pressing challenge of plastic pollution, thereby contributing substantively to a sustainable future for Vietnam.