In Viet Nam, glass waste is approximately 220,000 tons, presenting substantial opportunities to build a sustainable, scalable infrastructure that benefits all stakeholders.
Multiple Benefits
According to researchers from the Asia-Pacific International Spirits and Wine Alliance (APISWA), glass packaging offers the distinct advantage of being 100% recyclable and can be endlessly recycled without losing quality or purity. This makes glass an ideal choice for a circular economy.
Glass cullet (recycled glass) can replace up to 95% of the raw materials used in glass production. Manufacturers benefit from energy savings, reduced raw material consumption, and lower carbon emissions by recycling glass. Recycling is thus critical for glass circularity, helping reduce the need for natural resource extraction and taking advantage of glass's infinite recyclability.
Mr. Ho Quoc Thong from the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) suggests that the best approach involves combining legal and market-based tools and collaborating with industry associations like APISWA to promote community education and behavior-change initiatives around glass recycling. Pilot programs are also needed to support waste collectors, businesses, and households in reducing glass recycling costs or establishing appropriate economic incentives for the market.
From a business perspective, Ms. Chu Thi Van Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam Beer, Alcohol, and Beverage Association (VBA), noted that Vietnam is actively working to improve collection and recycling efforts, partly by applying the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for waste management. VBA will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other stakeholders to propose policies encouraging the recycling and reusing recycled materials for products and packaging, including glass.
Ho Chi Minh City has glass waste collection points.
Need for a centralized glass collection system
Viet Nam generates about 220,000 tons of glass waste annually, which presents an opportunity to lead efforts in educating the glass recycling ecosystem on the value of diverting glass from landfills. However, according to an APISWA survey, the glass recycling rate in Vietnam is only 15%, largely due to low collection rates of glass for reuse as recycled glass components. Mr. Ho Duc Thong from the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia recommends that Vietnam establish a centralized glass waste collection system.
For glass packaging manufacturers, EEPSEA experts suggest creating collection points at major retail outlets like bars, large stores, and restaurants. This would require collaboration among various industry association members. To further reduce glass waste collection costs, manufacturers should leverage the existing solid waste collection and recycling ecosystem by encouraging waste collectors and scrap buyers who already collect aluminum, plastic, and paper to include glass waste in their collections.
Producers are also encouraged to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects and environmental funds to support workers in the recycling sector, who often belong to disadvantaged social groups. This approach has multiple benefits, such as improving glass waste recycling and enhancing community goodwill.
Additionally, the government should set regulations with a minimum threshold for recycled material input. Policies to promote eco-friendly packaging design, such as sustainable labeling, easy-to-collect bottle designs, and prioritizing colorless glass bottles, are also essential, Mr. Ho Duc Thong emphasized.
Initiating partnership
In August 2024, MM Mega Market Vietnam partnered with O-I BJC Viet Nam Glass Plant to set up glass waste collection stations at MM Mega Market centers in Districts 2, 6, and 12, Ho Chi Minh City. Through this collaboration, MM Mega Market aims to encourage customers to join the effort, fostering a habit of correctly and safely sorting glass waste in daily shopping and consumption.
This collaboration marks an important starting point, expected to contribute positively to the glass recycling rate improvement plans set by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).