Enterprises must pay attention to the reuse of all materials, including packaging, as well as the circular economy to maintain markets.

Chairman of the Vietnam Waste Recycling Association Tran Viet Anh made the comment at a workshop on new packaging trends, at which he stressed that many markets have regulations on recycling and limit or even ban single-use packaging.

CEO of Lotus Chemical Technology Co., Nguyen Nhu Khue, said non-recyclable packaging has generated the most waste in Vietnam and “it is time for changes now”.

Packaging serves multiple functions but harms the environment over the course of its life cycle and is likely to be banned in the future, he said.

With the concept of the circular economy becoming more influential, designing packaging specifically to be recycled is becoming a vital part of the packaging process, he added.

Nguyen Thi Xuan Yen, a sustainable development researcher, said “sustainable packaging” forms part of the targets to increase competitiveness and environmental protection.

“It is necessary to focus on the functionality of the packaging, its convenience for users, and the prevention of harmful effects on consumer health,” she said.

Vietnam consumed 5.2 million tons of paper packaging in 2021 and an estimated 5.5 million tons in 2022.