At the P4G Summit on April 17, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed: “Green transformation is an inevitable journey, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for successfully achieving sustainable development goals. This process requires global cooperation, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and inclusive engagement between the government, businesses, communities, and all citizens to ensure inclusive and equitable development, leaving no one behind.”
GREEN TRANSITION FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Participating in P4G, Ms. Le Thi Hong Nhi, Director of Communications, External Affairs, and Sustainability at Unilever Vietnam, believed that this was an ideal time for the private sector to take a more proactive and profound role in creating sustainable solutions. She pointed out one of the most significant challenges facing the world and Vietnam: plastic waste.
This concern is shared globally, as World Environment Day on June 5 this year focused on “Beating Plastic Pollution.” In response, Unilever Vietnam has demonstrated its pioneering role as a leading consumer goods company by continuously contributing to the country’s green transition journey.
PROMOTING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PPC INITIATIVE
2025 marks the fifth year of collaboration between Unilever Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in the Public-Private Partnership for a Circular Economy in Plastic Waste Management (PPC). As one of the founding members of PPC, Unilever Vietnam has consistently promoted a circular economy model by focusing on developing a waste sorting and collection system, aiming to treat more plastic waste than the amount of packaging products sold. Unilever Vietnam is also committed to reducing half of virgin plastic use, increasing recycled plastic in packaging, and ensuring 100% recyclability of its packaging.
By 2024, the project had facilitated the collection, treatment, and recycling of over 17,000 tons of plastic waste, with 77% of packaging being recyclable and a 55% reduction in virgin plastic use for packaging. PPC also raised awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste and the benefits of a circular economy within the community, shaping recycling standards and establishing more efficient waste collection and treatment processes. Notably, PPC connected the government, businesses, and society, creating a multidimensional collaboration network that strengthens the foundation for sustainable development.
DUY TAN RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP FOR DUAL IMPACT
To materialize these commitments and initiatives, Unilever Vietnam has implemented numerous practical activities, notably its partnership with Duy Tan Recycling.
As of 2025, over 15,000 tons of plastic waste have been successfully collected and recycled, benefiting more than 1,100 workers with improved working conditions, increased income, and heightened awareness of occupational safety. This model achieves a dual objective of environmental protection and social development.
For the period 2025-2027, the two parties aim to raise the target of collection and recycling to 30,000 tons while expanding community engagement activities, source waste segregation education, and improving working conditions for workers in the waste value chain.
