More worryingly, Vietnam is in the top 4 countries with the largest amount of plastic waste discharged into the ocean in the world, accounting for 6% of the total amount of plastic waste discharged into the ocean globally.
In addition, every year Vietnamese people use up to 30 billion plastic bags, and more than 80% of them are discarded after just one use, causing serious impacts on the environment and ecosystem.
The average person inadvertently ingests about 5 grams of plastic per week – the equivalent of a credit card. Some toxic substances such as BPA in plastic can leach into food, causing diseases such as liver dysfunction, insulin resistance, affecting the fetus and even brain damage.
More worryingly, microplastics have been found in breast milk, with three-quarters of milk samples from 34 healthy mothers containing between 1 and 5 microplastic particles, posing a risk to the health of infants and future generations. Microplastic concentrations of 0.05 to 10 mg/l can cause oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and severely affecting human brain and epithelial cells.
For marine life, single-use plastic is considered a “death trap” ready to take the lives of marine creatures at any time. More than 700 marine species have been recorded as having been harmed by ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals dying each year.
By 2050, researchers predict that 99% of seabirds will have plastic in their bodies, severely affecting their lifespan and ability to reproduce, putting many species at risk of extinction. More than 56% of whales and dolphins have ingested plastic, often suffering painful deaths when the plastic blocks their airways and stomachs.
In order to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic on health and the environment, Choice recently initiated the communication project "Plastic Rehab Camp" with the slogan "Cut plastic addiction, heal the planet".
“Plastic Quit Camp” emphasizes the harmful effects of being “addicted” to consuming single-use plastics and practical solutions to “quit plastic” to change plastic usage habits, contributing to reducing plastic pollution, protecting public health and the environment.
The project is sponsored by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and partners such as: AEON MALL Tan Phu Celadon, Nhat Tin Logistics, ECO Solution, Upgreen Vietnam, Lagom Vietnam and the media support of goodwill ambassadors through the TikTok platform: singers Du Uyen, Dao, Marko Nguyen.
Ms. Annie Dube - Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City said: “Plastic pollution is threatening the oceans, harming marine life and ultimately affecting our health. Reducing plastic is not just a trend but a responsibility of each person. I am happy to witness the Plastic Rehabilitation Camp event inspiring people to take action, to build a greener planet together”.
“The journey from awareness to action is a long one. The Plastic Rehabilitation Camp is expected to be a call for cooperation for a green future, helping people recognize the problem and find solutions together. However, to achieve sustainable success, we need the cooperation of the community and stakeholders," said Mr. Tran Thanh Kim Tien, Communications Director of Choice.
