Speaking at the 2023 Sustainable Development Conference organised by VIR last week, Nguyen Van Thuc, deputy general director of Tien Phong Plastic, pointed out four areas where solutions should be applied. These were, regulatory compliance and management systems; the modernisation of production technology; energy saving; and waste management.

For compliance, the company has adopted the ISO 9001 management system for environmental, energy, safety, and worker health concerns.

Tien Phong Plastic upgraded its wastewater treatment system in 2021 when it moved to a new site. At the same time, the company worked with authorities to carry out environmental monitoring and the company now invites the Labour Environment Health Center of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to review the working environment every year.

The second area focusses on production technology. "Tien Phong Plastic has successfully minimised waste emissions with automation across the different production stages. We have replaced lead stabilisers in PVC production with those made from zinc and tin for the production of pipes and fittings. Despite the higher cost, the company is determined to make this replacement," said Thuc.

To reduce energy usage, Tien Phong Plastic has invested in a synchronous, modern system that meets European standards. The company has installed LED lights, sensors that control pressure in the compressed air system, and controls that regulate the electricity use of certain equipment.

Another measure is rooftop solar power. One Tien Phong factory was installed with a rooftop solar power system last year, and the company intends to install rooftop solar power systems for any new factories.

The final area is waste management, construction, and the preservation of the environment. Here, the company is focussing on separating waste at source and has set aside more than 43,000 square metres for trees, lawns, and other green landscapes to help filter dust and air.