Bac Ninh: No-plastic market makes highlight in “Youth against plastic waste" festival

^{Held by the Central Committee of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the event offered a chance for local youngsters and people to learn about disposable plastic substitutes, such as bamboo straws and dishes made from the lower part of areca nut leaves, as well as recyclable and reused items and application of high technology to minimise personal vehicle emissions.}

Participants can also trade plastic waste for greenery at the festival, with all the plastic bottles collected from the exchange booths being reused to make solar bottle bulbs for remote areas without electricity.

Visitors receive dishes and items made from the lower part of areca nut leaves at the festival. (Photo: NDO/Ngoc Vy)

The organisers also introduced community-based models in joining hands to protect the environment which have been implemented effectively in Bac Ninh city in recent years, including the "market reducing plastic waste" and "apartment limiting plastic waste" models.

In particular, at Nhon market – homes to 270 stalls, local Youth Union members have provided training to sellers at the market on how to use waste classification boxes, packaging products with natural materials, storing goods with reusable material objects, and not using styrofoam and disposable plastic products.

Youth Union members and youngsters in Bac Ninh respond to the festival. (Photo: NDO/Ngoc Vy)

Shoppers at the market have also been given cotton grocery bags and received training in waste classification. They have been asked to pledge to refuse to use plastic bags, styrofoam boxes and disposable plastic cups, while being encouraged to bring personal kits when eating at the market.

On the occasion, the organisers also honoured winners of a tire recycling contest to make materials for building playgrounds for the children. The contest took place from May 31 to August 31, attracting 100 entries with the participation of more than 1,500 Youth Union members and youngsters across the country.

Stalls in Nhon market have refused to sell their products wrapped in plastic bags. (Photo: NDO/Ngoc Vy)