Quang Ninh welcomes more than 10 million tourists each year. An increase in tourists has led an increase in waste, especially plastic waste.

Each 5-meter-long, 2-meter-high dustbin can hold 400 to 500 kilos of plastic bottles.

Recently, Quang Ninh has taken a number of measures to limit plastic waste. Plastic items have been replaced by products made of environment-friendly materials in the tourism and service sectors of Ha Long Bay.

Products made from recycled materials are used on Co To island. Fish-shaped bamboo dustbins are used on Cai Chien island to collect waste.

The model of the fish-shaped bamboo dustbins was launched by Youth Union members of Quang Ninh province. The dustbins are placed at sea ports and beaches in Cai Chien commune.

Each 5-meter-long, 2-meter-high dustbin can hold 400 to 500 kilos of plastic bottles. The dustbin model encourages tourists and locals to collect plastic waste and protect the environment.

“A big blue fish-shaped dustbin is placed right at the seaport, which is very convenient for tourists and prevents littering around. I thinks this model should be duplicated at other tourist spots,” said Luu Ha An, a tourist from Hoa Binh province.

6 fish-shaped dustbins have been placed on Cai Chien island. Tourists are encouraged to put their litter in the right place for a cleaner environment.

Mr. Luong Xuan Thu, Chairman of Cai Chien commune’s People’s Committee, said, “The dustbin model has gotten a good response from tourists and locals. Now people are more aware of protecting the environment by placing used plastic bottles in the dustbins”.

The dustbins are placed at sea ports and beaches in Cai Chien.

Cai Chien island’s Youth Union has launched campaigns to clean beaches and encourage restaurants and hotels to use the fish-shaped dustbins. Other measures to reduce plastic waste have been taken, including using glass bottles instead of plastic ones at conferences, and replacing plastic straws with paper straws.

“I hope everyone will take action, change their behavior, recycle, and reduce their use of plastic products,” said Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, Deputy Head of the Centre for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub).