14.4.3. Reducing Marine Pollution (Policy)
The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) implements a policy to prevent and reduce marine pollution, particularly pollution originating from land-based sources, through the Green University Practice Regulations – UEH Green Campus. Issued under Decision No. 2059/QD-DHKT-CSVC in 2022 and continuing to apply to university governance and operations, the policy focuses on three sets of measures: reducing chemical pollution risks from domestic wastewater, ensuring the safe management of hazardous waste, and preventing plastic and solid waste from escaping into the environment. In 2025, UEH continued to put these regulations into practice through the UEH Green Campus Project, notably by reviewing the wastewater treatment system at the Nguyen Van Linh Campus, maintaining waste segregation and collection at source, and developing solutions to reduce single-use plastics. These activities help control pollution at its source and reduce potential impacts on river systems and the marine environment, contributing to SDG 14 – Life Below Water.
- Policy Description
UEH implements its policy to prevent and reduce marine pollution, particularly pollution from land-based sources, through the Green University Practice Regulations – UEH Green Campus, issued together with Decision No. 2059/QD-DHKT-CSVC in 2022. The regulations establish environmental protection responsibilities for administrative units, staff, students, service providers, and event organizers at UEH. The policy focuses on controlling risks associated with domestic wastewater, hazardous waste, and plastic waste through waste prevention, segregation at source, collection, treatment, transfer to waste management providers, and implementation monitoring.
In 2025, UEH continued applying these measures through the governance and operation of the UEH Green Campus Project. The University reviewed operating procedures and wastewater quality testing results at the Nguyen Van Linh Campus, maintained source segregation and collection systems, and implemented initiatives to reduce single-use plastics. Environmental management procedures were also reviewed to further strengthen pollution-source controls and minimize the risk of waste spreading from university campuses into waterways, rivers, and the sea.
Policy source
UEH Green Campus, Green University Practice Regulations, Decision No. 2059/QD-DHKT-CSVC (2022):
https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/quy-dinh-thuc-hanh-dai-hoc-xanh
2025 implementation source:
UEH Portal, New Progress of the UEH Green Campus Project in 2025:
- Core Components of the Policy
2.1. Preventing Chemical Pollution from Domestic Wastewater
Under Article 16, Clause 5, UEH has adopted a policy of piloting and progressively requiring cleaning service providers to use bio-based, environmentally friendly cleaning agents to reduce the negative effects of domestic wastewater on rivers and the sea.
In addition, Article 15, Clause 5 provides for replacing cleaning materials and products with safe, environmentally friendly organic alternatives. These provisions help control chemical pollution at its source during campus operations.
2.2. Preventing Pollution from Hazardous Waste
Under Article 7, Clauses 1–4, UEH requires separate collection of batteries, electronic devices, lamps, and materials containing chemicals or heavy metals; segregation, safe storage, recording of quantities, and transfer to licensed treatment providers.
In addition, Article 15, Clauses 4 and 6 establishes responsibilities for separate hazardous waste storage and annual waste audits. These measures help limit the risk of toxic substances entering soil and water.
2.3. Preventing Pollution from Plastic and Solid Waste
Article 8, Clauses 1–6 provides for reducing single-use plastics, encouraging reusable products, limiting plastic packaging in canteens and at events, and segregating plastic waste at source.
Article 3, Clauses 1 and 2 requires waste segregation at UEH Go Green Stations and coordination with partners for the collection and treatment of recyclable materials. Managing waste at source helps reduce the risk of plastic litter entering drains, rivers, and marine environments.
2.4. Responsibilities for Policy Implementation and Monitoring
UEH clearly assigns responsibility for policy implementation to administrative units, service providers, and event organizers. Under Article 15, Clauses 3–6, units responsible for waste collection, segregation, and transport must organize segregation at source, transfer waste to appropriate treatment partners, store hazardous waste separately, and conduct annual waste audits and data reporting.
Article 7, Clauses 3–5 requires the recording of waste quantities, transfer of hazardous waste to licensed entities, reporting on implementation, and inspections and action in cases of non-compliance. In addition, Articles 17 and 18 require service providers and event organizers to segregate waste, reduce single-use products, prioritize reusable items, and monitor environmental impacts during their activities.
Through the assignment of responsibilities, reporting, audits, and compliance inspections, UEH integrates the prevention of pollution from land-based sources into regular campus governance and operations.
Policy source: Green University Practice Regulations – UEH Green Campus.
- Evidence of Selected Programmes and Activities Implemented
In 2025, UEH continued to implement its Green University policy through wastewater and solid waste management, alongside research and collaborative activities supporting the sustainable development of the marine environment.
| No. | Policy / Activity | Implementation and Results | Supporting Evidence |
| 1 | Review of the Wastewater Treatment System at the Nguyen Van Linh Campus (2025) | In 2025, UEH reviewed the operation of the wastewater treatment system at Campus N (Nguyen Van Linh), with a design capacity of 550 m³/day. Sao Viet Environment and Occupational Safety Co., Ltd. (VIMCERTS 286) collected treated wastewater samples on 10 and 17 December 2025; the results were recorded in Test Reports No. 02159/2025/KQTN dated 19 December 2025 and No. 02259/2025/KQTN dated 26 December 2025.The reports analyzed 11 parameters: pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), BOD₅, ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, sulfide, anionic surfactants, animal and vegetable fats and oils, and total coliforms. The corresponding results for the two sampling rounds were: pH 7.02 and 7.52; TSS 6 and 7 mg/L; BOD₅ 16 and 34 mg/L; nitrate 12.0 and 12.4 mg/L; phosphate 1.27 and 1.18 mg/L; and total coliforms 1,100 and 4,300 MPN/100 mL.Against QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT, Column B (K = 1), as applied in both reports, all 11 measured parameters for the samples were within the permissible limits. The report assessed the system as operating effectively and meeting treated wastewater quality requirements. These results provide evidence of wastewater control at source, supporting implementation of Articles 15(5), 16(5), and 21; the test values apply to the samples at the time of measurement. | 2025 Environmental Protection Report – Campus N, Section 1.2.1 (page 12/84 of the PDF); Test Reports No. 02159/2025/KQTN and 02259/2025/KQTN (pages 82–83/84 of the PDF).UEH Portal, UEH Green Campus 2025 Review: https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nhung-buoc-tien-moi-cua-du-an-ueh-green-campus-nam-2025-hanh-trinh-van-hanh-va-lan-toa-mo-hinh-dai-hoc-xanh-ueh-den-cong-dong-75883 |
| 2 | Maintaining On-campus Waste Segregation and Collection Systems (2025) | UEH continued operating waste segregation at source through Go Green Stations, using three- and seven-category segregation systems as appropriate to each campus. Recyclable waste was collected and transferred to treatment partners. These activities support Articles 3, 7, and 15 and reduce the risk of solid waste, plastics, and potentially polluting materials escaping into the environment.
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UEH Green Campus (22 July 2025), 15 Products in the UEH Green Campus Ecosystem: https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/tin-moi-noi-bat/15-san-pham-trong-he-sinh-thai-ueh-green-campus |
| 3 | BOTOL x Nopa Move Recycling Challenge – Reducing Plastic Waste in 2025 | From 1 to 30 August 2025, UEH Green Campus held a waste segregation and recycling challenge at Campus B using the i Ve Chai Machine. The programme recorded 1,996 plastic bottles collected, over 200 participation instances, and 30 reusable personal water bottles given away. The initiative translated the single-use plastic reduction policy under Article 8 into practice by collecting recyclable plastics and encouraging reusable bottles in place of disposable products.
UEH community members using the i Ve Chai Machine or participating in the BOTOL x Nopa Move Challenge. Source: UEH Green Campus article dated 20 October 2025. |
UEH Green Campus (20 October 2025), Recycling Challenge with BOTOL and Nopa Move: 1,996 Plastic Bottles Collected: https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/tin-moi-noi-bat/thu-thach-tai-che-cung-botol-va-nopa-move-1996-chai-nhua-duoc-thu-gom-trao-tay-30-binh-nuoc-ca-nhan |
| Implementing Solutions to Reduce Single-use Plastics at UEH in 2025 | UEH continued developing solutions to limit single-use plastic items, encourage reusable products, and strengthen the segregation and collection of recyclable materials. On 6 May 2025, activities at the Vo Thi Sau Campus continued to raise awareness and encourage single-use plastic reduction. On 22 July 2025, UEH Green Campus introduced an ecosystem of 15 representative products, including tools supporting waste segregation and collection, helping operationalize the plastic reduction policy under Article 8. | UEH Portal (6 May 2025): https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nghe-thuat-va-hanh-dong-ben-vung-giao-thoa-tai-co-so-vo-thi-sau-%E2%80%93-huong-den-khong-nhua-dung-mot-lan-74049 UEH Green Campus (22 July 2025): https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/tin-moi-noi-bat/15-san-pham-trong-he-sinh-thai-ueh-green-campus | |
| 3 | UEH Green Campus Solutions Ecosystem (2025) | Continued development of Go Green Stations and tools for segregating and collecting recyclable materials, combining technology with practical on-campus waste management.
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15 Products in the UEH Green Campus Ecosystem – 22 July 2025 |
Conclusion
UEH maintains and implements its policy to prevent and reduce marine pollution, particularly pollution originating from land-based activities, through the Green University Practice Regulations issued in 2022. The policy establishes measures for controlling chemicals in domestic wastewater, managing hazardous waste, reducing single-use plastics, and segregating and collecting waste at source, while assigning implementation and monitoring responsibilities to relevant units.
In 2025, the policy continued to be put into practice through the review of the wastewater treatment system at the Nguyen Van Linh Campus, continued operation of the Go Green Station model, and initiatives to limit single-use plastics under the UEH Green Campus Project. These activities demonstrate continuity between policy commitments and practical operations, helping prevent pollutants from spreading from campuses into waterways, rivers, and the sea, in line with SDG 14 – Life Below Water.