Hung Yen, June 27, 2025 – Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hung Yen Province, organized a consultation meeting on the “Environmental Rehabilitation and Restoration Plan for the Plastic Pollution Area in Minh Khai Craft Village, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province.”

The event is part of the initiative “Piloting co-processing of low-value plastics in cement kilns and developing remediation plans for plastic pollution hotspots in Hung Yen, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong,” funded by the Government of Norway under the “Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge” (EPPIC) project. The initiative aims to support localities in addressing plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy model.

Minh Khai plastic recycling craft village currently hosts more than 580 active facilities, receiving between 700 to 1,000 tons of plastic waste daily. It is considered one of the plastic pollution hotspots in Viet Nam. A 2024 survey identified two major waste accumulation areas: the road to access Minh Khai Industrial Cluster (Phase III) and the centralized landfill site in Minh Khai hamlet, with an estimated total waste volume of approximately 124,000 m³. Despite the implementation of several strong measures by local authorities, environmental pollution remains inadequately controlled, posing serious threats to public health and the quality of the living environment. The craft village is still listed among the seriously polluting facilities under Prime Minister’s Decision No. 64/2003/QĐ-TTg.

Since 2023, UNDP, the Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hung Yen Province have been working together to seek solutions for plastic waste management in Minh Khai Craft Village. As a basis for developing a treatment plan, UNDP successfully piloted the collection and co-processing of over 111 tons of non-recyclable plastic waste using cement kiln technology at the Lam Thach Cement Plant in Quang Ninh.

The workshop brought together representatives from the Department of Environment, local authorities, businesses, and national and international experts to provide feedback on the draft plan developed by UNDP and its partners. The plan proposes a comprehensive solution for managing the open landfill site of the craft village, including screening and sorting, reuse of recyclable waste, co-processing of calorific waste in cement kilns, safe landfill disposal, and land restoration after treatment. The aim is to offer a holistic, feasible solution aligned with local conditions as well as provincial and national environmental goals.

Mr. Erlend Skutlaberg, First Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, stated: “Norway is very proud to support UNDP and the authorities of Hung Yen Province in developing this plan. Co-processing is an effective solution that has been piloted in eight Asian countries, including Viet Nam. It brings benefits to the environment, the government, and businesses alike, and holds great promise as a comprehensive solution to help Minh Khai and Hung Yen address the issue of non-recyclable plastic waste. We hope the plan will be implemented soon and that Minh Khai will become a model for sustainable transformation.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vu Thai Truong, Acting Head of Climate Change, Energy and Environment at UNDP Viet Nam, shared: “The Plan is not just a technical document, but a roadmap for action, with detailed analysis of recommended treatment solutions along with estimated costs, aimed at addressing pollution and improving the environment and quality of life for the community in Minh Khai craft village.”

Mr. Tran Dang Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hung Yen Province, emphasized: “The development of the Environmental Rehabilitation and Restoration Plan for the Plastic Pollution Area in Minh Khai Craft Village is an urgent requirement, aimed at thoroughly addressing existing waste, improving environmental quality, and moving toward a circular economy model at the local level.”

Through the workshop, UNDP and its partners hope to finalize the plan for handover to Hung Yen Province for implementation in the near future, contributing to addressing pollution in Minh Khai and serving as a model for replication in other craft villages across the country.

For media inquiries, please contact:   
Phan Huong Giang   
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change, Energy and Environment 
United Nations Development Programme
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org  Mob: 0948466688

Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh
Information and Communications Advisor
Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi
Email: Thi.kim.thanh.nguyen@mfa.no   Mobile: 0904637298