Vietnam Brief report: the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 of Vietnam (2)

Recycling of discarded products and packaging materials based on EPR

Brief report: the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 of Vietnam (2)

On November 17, 2020, the National Assembly of Vietnam enacted the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 (72/2020/QH14). Article 54, 55 and 73 of the law stipulate requirements for the collection, disposal and recycling of waste products, plastic waste, etc.

Responsibility for recycling products and packaging materials (Article 54)

  • Organizations/individuals that manufacture and import recyclable products and packaging materials must carry out recycling in accordance with the required ratios and methods. However, products and packaging materials that are exported, temporarily imported, re-exported, or imported for research/education/testing purposes are excluded.
  • The following recycling methods can be selected for products and packaging materials.
  • Carry out in-house recycling of products and packaging materials.
  • Pay to Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund for the recycling of products and packaging materials.
  • Companies must subject a recycling plan for products and packaging materials to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and report the results of their own recycling every year. However, this requirement is exempted when companies pay to Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund for the products and packaging materials.
  • Environmental Protection Fund for the collection and recycling of products and packaging materials specified above follows the following principles.
  • The amount of payment is determined according to the weight of the products and packaging materials.
  • The paid fund will be used for activities related to the recycling of products and packaging materials.

Responsibility for waste collection and treatment (Article 55)

  • Organizations/individuals that manufacture and import products and packaging materials that are harmful, non-recyclable and difficult to collect/treat shall pay to Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund to support related activities. However, products and packaging materials that are exported, temporarily imported, re-exported, or imported for research/education/testing purposes are excluded. The amount of payment is determined according to the weight and quantity of the products and packaging materials.
  • The activities of Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund to be supported are as follows:
      • Collection, transportation and disposal of domestic solid waste generated from each household and individual
      • Research and development on domestic solid waste treatment technology
      • Collection, transportation and disposal of packaging materials for agricultural chemicals

Reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal of plastic waste, prevention of pollution by marine plastic waste (Article 73)

  • Organizations/individuals must restrict, reduce, segregate and discard single-use plastic waste and non-biodegradable plastic packaging materials. In addition, plastic waste should not be discarded directly into wastewater systems, ponds, lakes, canals, rivers and the ocean.
  • Certified eco-friendly products, single-use plastic alternatives and biodegradable plastic alternatives are eligible for incentives and subsidies in accordance with the law.
  • Plastic waste must be collected and segregated for reuse and recycling or treated in accordance with the law. On the other hand, non-recyclable plastic waste must be handed over to facilities that have processing functions. In addition, plastic waste generated from economic activities in the ocean must not be discharged into the ocean but must be collected for reuse and recycling.
  • The government recommends research and development on reuse and recycling of plastic waste as goods and building materials used in the manufacturing industry and road construction, and collection/treatment systems for plastic waste floating in the ocean. In addition, policies to promote the recycling and reuse of plastic waste will be established hereafter.
  • The government will establish a roadmap to limit goods containing single-use plastics, non-biodegradable plastic packaging materials and microplastics.

 

Please see more about the details of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 (72/2020/QH14):

 

NOTE:
Vietnamese government issued a new decree to implement EPR on January 10, 2022. See more details in the following:
Vietnam sets comprehensive EPR regulations for WEEE, ELV, packaging and batteries

Author / Responsibility

AOKI Kenji

Senior Consultant, EnviX Ltd.
General Director, E&H Consulting Co., Ltd.

Business Performance

Expertise in EHS (environment, health and safety) consulting in ASEAN region.
- Environmental regulations updating
- Chemical regulations consulting

Background

MSc in Earth Science, The University of Tokyo

AOKI Kenji