HCMC – A recycling initiative linked thousands of informal waste collectors to a circular value chain while collecting more than 40,000 tons of plastic waste during 2021–2025.
The initiative, implemented by Unilever and VietCycle in Hanoi and HCMC, integrated about 3,000 informal workers into its network and collected 40,494 tons of plastic waste, according to its final report.
More than 200 collection points were established, connecting waste pickers, intermediaries, sorting stations, and recycling facilities.
Informal workers, who account for about two-thirds of plastic waste collection in Vietnam, have largely operated outside formal systems, the report noted.
Under the initiative, workers received training in waste sorting, occupational safety, and fire prevention. They were also provided with protective equipment, essential goods, and access to health insurance.
Organizers assessed that improving workers’ capacity helped increase collection efficiency and the quality of recyclable materials, supporting the circular value chain.
The initiative was launched in a context of a fragmented waste collection system with limited coordination across collection, sorting, and recycling stages.
It also carried out communication campaigns to promote waste sorting at source and sustainable consumption. Annual events drew thousands of participants and aimed to improve recognition of informal waste collection work.
Challenges remain, including a fragmented collection network, limited infrastructure, and low household participation in waste sorting. Informal workers remain hesitant to join formal systems due to concerns over regulatory obligations and unclear support mechanisms, particularly as extended producer responsibility policies are rolled out.
The report highlighted the need for transparent systems and coordination among businesses, regulators, and social organizations to build a more complete circular value chain.
