There has been much ado in recent years about Vietnam’s garbage problem. From the beaches of Phu Quoc to the forests of the Central Highlands, trash is omnipresent and impossible to ignore. To that end, a group of locals and expats are seeking to change the way we dispose of our waste and the way we look at our local community spaces.
Clean Up Vietnam seeks to engage community groups, businesses, schools and families to take ownership of sites in their local community and clean them up. To build awareness, the group will launch Clean Up Vietnam Day on Sunday, April 17, piggybacking on a similar concept that has proven successful in Australia. On the day of the inaugural event, groups will gather at pre-registered sites to pick up litter in their respective areas. So far, there are clean-up sites registered throughout Saigon but also in Phan Thiet, Hanoi, Mui Ne and Da Nang.
“As much as it is about cleaning up the environment, it is also about bringing communities together and raising awareness of the long-term benefits of keeping our urban and rural spaces free of litter,” wrote Clean Up Vietnam director Scott Alderson in a press release.
The group is also looking to raise money through sponsorships, corporate and individual donations. As per their charter as a charity, any excess funding will be rolled out for upcoming years and events as well as for extra educational programs. You can learn how to join in the Clean Up Vietnam Day activities here.
[Photo courtesy of Clean Up Vietnam]
