The model of collecting and recycling plastic waste to raise funds has spread a green lifestyle from the practical ways of doing things of Phu Dien ward women.
Models of collecting and recycling plastic waste to raise funds are being effectively implemented by women's union branches in Phu Dien ward, Hanoi City, contributing to the movement "For a bright - green - clean - beautiful environment". These activities not only create resources to support members in difficult circumstances, but also contribute to raising environmental awareness and building a civilized lifestyle in residential areas.
With a length of nearly 2km, the main road of Residential Group No. 1, Phu Dien ward always maintains its spaciousness and cleanliness. On that road, there is a very special "garbage bin" - a place to collect plastic waste of the women's association of the residential group. The special thing is not in the form, but in the meaning behind: All plastic bottles, jars, and cans after being collected will be sold to raise funds to support those in difficult circumstances.
The " trash can" is placed right in front of the house of Ms. Nguyen Thi Giap - Head of the Women's Union branch, cum Head of the Red Cross Union branch of Residential Group No. 1. When reporters asked for directions, she excitedly said: "Just see the trash can anywhere, my house is there". The simple saying but shows the attachment and dedication of the union official to work. Ms. Giap is also one of the typical examples of "Good people, good deeds" of Hanoi city in 2025.
According to Ms. Giap, implementing the direction of the Hanoi City Women's Union and the Phu Dien Ward Women's Union in the movement "For a bright - green - clean - beautiful environment", from October 2025, the Women's Union of Residential Group No. 1 is the first unit in the ward to implement the model "Regenerating Plastic Bottles, Journey to Continuity". Right from the early days, the model has received the consensus of the Party Committee, and the positive response of members and people.
Without elaborate methods, perseverance and self-awareness have created vitality for the model. People in the group, especially students, gradually formed the habit of collecting used plastic bottles to bring to the gathering point. Every two weeks, the branch summarizes, sorts and sells scrap to raise funds. From this fund, many members in difficult circumstances and suffering from serious illnesses have been promptly supported with an amount of 500,000 VND/case; and at the same time contribute to maintaining charity activities towards people in storm and flood areas and ethnic minority areas.
Not only stopping within the residential group, the model also spread widely through the social networks of residential areas and wards. Many people in other areas, even if they do not live in Residential Group No. 1, also proactively bring scrap to support. For them, each plastic bottle sent away is not only recycled waste but also a silent sharing, a small hope for those in difficult circumstances.
To maintain regular operations, behind is the dedication of women working in the association. After dinner, around 7 pm, Ms. Giap and the core members walk along the roads to check and remind about maintaining environmental sanitation. "We are also real'junk collectors', with plastic bottles, we collect and sort them immediately, accumulating small amounts into large amounts," Ms. Giap shared.
It is the exemplary and pioneering nature that has created a natural spread, helping people trust, agree and actively participate. After 6 months of implementation, not only has the fund been formed, but environmental protection awareness in the community has also been clearly raised.
According to Mr. Le Hong Chinh - Secretary of the Party cell, Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Residential Group No. 1, in recent years, the women's union has made many practical contributions to environmental protection. The image of women cleaning up every Saturday morning has become a familiar feature. In addition, women in the group also actively mobilize socialization, converting wasteland into playgrounds and community activity points, contributing to changing the face of residential areas.
If in Residential Group No. 1, the "Recycled Plastic Bottles" model is implemented with a fixed gathering point, then in Residential Group No. 20 - where there are 4 apartment buildings with many young residents and foreigners living - the approach is more flexible to suit reality.
According to Ms. Lai Thi Bai - Head of the Women's Union of Residential Group No. 20, due to the lack of a large area for long-term collection, the collection, sorting and transportation of plastic waste must be carried out quickly and synchronously. The most important thing is to build consensus among residents, thereby forming common habits in daily life.
Reality shows that when understanding the meaning of the activity, not only women's union members but also many residents, including foreigners, actively participate. Some people bring it directly to the collection point, some people call to ask for transportation support, but all have been classified. The proactiveness and self-awareness show the strong spread of the model, overcoming language barriers and cultural differences.
According to Ms. Do Thi Kim Chi - Vice Chairwoman of the Ward Fatherland Front Committee, Chairwoman of the Phu Dien Ward Women's Union, the models of collecting and recycling plastic waste to raise funds by women's union branches are promoting practical effectiveness, not only contributing to environmental protection but also creating resources to care for members in difficult circumstances. The model is suitable for the specific characteristics of each area, and is actively responded to by members and people, thereby gradually forming the habit of sorting waste and raising awareness of preserving the living environment.
From the specific ways of doing things at the grassroots level, it can be seen that women are playing a core role in changing community awareness and behavior about environmental protection. With closeness, perseverance and a sense of responsibility, each member is both an implementer and a propagandist, contributing to forming positive habits," Ms. Do Thi Kim Chi shared.
From those changes, the models of Phu Dien women not only have immediate meaning but also silently nurture sustainable living values in the community. Every small act, every simple action maintained daily is gradually creating a green, civilized lifestyle - in line with the direction of building Hanoi Capital to develop in the direction of "civilized - civilized - modern - happy".
