District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is trying to tackle the scourge of plastic waste by offering rice to residents in return for their trash.
Local residents can get 1kg of rice for each kg of plastics or recyclable waste, and each of them can exchange a maximum amount of 10kg of waste.
Since the programme was rolled out in early September, authorities have collected more than 1 tonnes of trash for recycling.
Pham Ngoc Minh, Vice President of the district’s Fatherland Front Committee, said apart from environmental protection, the programme aims to support local residents amidst COVID-19.
The exchange is held weekly and will last until December, she said, adding that the programme is financed by organisations and businesses in HCM City.
According to the official, more than 4 tonnes of rice have been mobilised for the programme so far. Along with rice, residents can get other necessities like cooking oil and salt, and plants.
Not only residents in District 1 but also those in other localities can also join the programme, Minh said.
Source: Nhan Dan Online