14.4.2. Action plan to reducing plastic waste

1. Description of the action plan
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has implemented multiple formal action plans aimed at minimizing plastic waste across its campuses.
This plan is outlined in the “Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice” (Decision No. 2059/QD-DHKT-CSVC) and realized through various projects and campaigns, such as the installation of water refill systems and the introduction of the I Ve Chai Machine recycling initiative.

2. Core content of the plan

UEH’s plan focuses on specific actions that have been stipulated as follows:

• Roadmap for phasing out plastic:

• • Article 6, Clause 5: Clearly defines UEH’s responsibility to “Limit and work towards eliminating plastic bags on campus by 2025.” 

• Policies:
  • Article 5, Clause 10: Requires all UEH members and visitors to “practice the reduction of single-use plastic waste within the campus.”
  • Article 11, Clause 4: Having a policy to encourage the use of reusable containers, instead of providing single-use plastic containers.
  • Article 11, Clause 6: Specifies that “all UEH suppliers must sign a commitment to gradually eliminate single-use plastic or paper products and encourage customers to bring reusable items for packaging.”

• 3R Practices (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle):
  • Article 4: Entirely dedicated to the “3R Practices at UEH.”
  • Reduce: Encourages the limitation of single-use plastic waste, such as cups, glasses, napkins, and plastic bags.
  • Reuse: Promotes the use of reusable bags and encourages the use of UEH-branded bottles and cups.
  • Recycle: Encourages waste segregation using the 3-bin and 7-bin sorting models.

• Supporting facilities:
  • Article 11, Clause 3: Requires service units to “prioritize the installation of re-filling equipment” (water refill systems).
  • Projects such as the i Ve Chai Machine Recycling Initiative concretize Article 4, Clause 3.

• Plastic control in events:
  • Article 12: Requires event organizers to “avoid distributing non-biodegradable plastic packaging” and to “prioritize the use of recycled or recyclable materials instead of single-use plastics.”

3. Evidence of implemented programs

No.	Program/Project	Summary		Image	Link	SDG Contribution
1	“Towards No Single-use Plastic Future” Campaign	Since 2024, UEH has launched the “Towards No Single-use Plastic Future” campaign to raise awareness and encourage all students, staff, and lecturers to use personal items such as reusable water bottles, UEH cups, and glass containers instead of single-use plastic products. Across the campus, free drinking water refill stations and microwave ovens have been installed in common areas, providing convenient facilities for students to refill their personal bottles and bring meals in glass containers rather than using plastic-packaged food.		MSc. Le Thi Hanh An introduces the UEH Green Campus project. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh presents the Campaign “Towards No Single-use Plastic Future”.	https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/breaking-news/launching-of-the-towards-no-single-use-plastic-future-campaign-at-ueh-vo-thi-sau-campus	SDG 12, 14
2	Encourage service and goods providers to use reusable boxes, cups, and utensils.	In 2024, UEH issued a regulation encouraging on-campus service providers – such as canteens, cafeterias, Cheers minimart, and student-run stalls – to use reusable food containers instead of single-use plastic ones. These establishments are required to reduce plastic packaging and encourage customers to bring their own containers for food and beverages. Regular monitoring activities are also conducted, particularly in the canteen areas of Campuses B and N, to ensure compliance with this regulation.		The canteen at Campus V has used paper cups and glass cups instead of plastic cups.	https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations	SDG 12, 14, 6
3	Require units to use reusable glass bottles in seminars and workshops	Since early 2024, the UEH Sustainability Project Board has directed all faculties and institutes to comply with regulations on plastic waste management, particularly during major events. Specifically, the Board has required that 100% of events, conferences, and seminars organized by UEH use glass water bottles instead of plastic ones. In addition, for extended events, UEH has also prepared recyclable paper plates for tea-break sessions.		National Scientific Conference “Contribution to Vietnam’s socio-economic development strategy for the period 2025 – 2030” uses 100% glass bottles to store water. UEH staff and employee conference uses 100% glass bottles to store water.	https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-quoc-gia-dong-gop-duong-loi-phat-trien-kinh-te-xa-hoi-cua-viet-nam-giai-doan-2025-2030-73115  https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/hoi-nghi-dai-bieu-vien-chuc-nguoi-lao-dong-ueh-nam-2024-71308	SDG 12, 14, 15
4	Provide facilities to support the reduction of plastic emissions on campus	UEH units have organized, developed, installed, and arranged facilities and equipment to support the reduction of plastic waste emissions across the university campus.		Microwaves are located at Campus N – allowing students and faculty to heat food prepared at home. Water purifiers for teachers and students in classroom hallways.		SDG 12, 14, 15

Open related links:

1. October 24, 2024 – Launching of the “TOWARDS NO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FUTURE” Campaign at UEH Vo Thi Sau Campus – 

https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/breaking-news/launching-of-the-towards-no-single-use-plastic-future-campaign-at-ueh-vo-thi-sau-campus 

2. December 09, 2024 – National Conference on “Contribution to Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the Period 2025 – 2030” – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/national-conference-on-contribution-to-vietnam-s-socio-economic-development-strategy-for-the-period-2025-2030-73129

3. January 22, 2024 – Conference of UEH Officials and Employees 2024 – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/conference-of-ueh-officials-and-employees-2024-71326

4. 2022, REGULATIONS Regarding Green Campus Practice at all UEH-affiliated Campuses of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and UEH Vinh Long Campus (Issued with Decision No. 2059 /QD-DHKT-CSVC on / /2022 by the President of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City) – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations