Turn recyclable waste into meaningful gifts
Regularly every weekend, Ms. Nguyen Minh Anh (26 years old, Hanoi) collects cleaned milk cartons and office paper to bring to TAGOM (an organization that collects and recycles waste, helping waste to be treated and reused, extending the life cycle of materials).
It is known that TAGOM's "Gom giấy sữa trao em" project not only contributes to reducing waste but also converts it into nutritious milk glasses sent to children in mountainous areas, spreading a green lifestyle associated with human values.
I really like the idea that just from milk cartons that seem to be discarded, they can be exchanged for new milk glasses for children in mountainous areas. I both contribute to environmental protection and do something meaningful for the community," Ms. Minh Anh shared.
As a gomer (environment lover) who regularly collects milk cartons and paper to TAGOM, Mr. Do Van Noi (25 years old, Hanoi) said that every time he looks at the seemingly discarded cartons being collected to exchange for new milk, he finds participating in the project more meaningful.
Many people come to the collection station not only to bring garbage but also ask about proper recycling methods to continue participating next time. This shows that people are starting to pay more attention to sorting and recycling garbage right from the family," said Mr. Do Van Noi.
Collecting old milk cartons, giving more opportunities to children in mountainous areas
According to Mr. Vu Duc Chung - founder of TAGOM, the "Gom milk cartons to give to children" project is implemented to promote the collection and recycling of paper milk cartons, while bringing nutritious milk to children in mountainous areas.
People only need to pre-process milk boxes at home and then bring them to the station. Every 1kg of paper milk boxes or 2kg of office paper will be converted into a new milk glass to give to young children," Mr. Chung said.
After collecting, milk cartons continue to be transferred to recycling plants to produce ecological roofing sheets, flat sheets for tables and chairs or industrial paper.
Milk boxes are made of paper, plastic and aluminum, so if collected and treated properly, they will become valuable raw materials instead of being buried like ordinary waste," Mr. Chung added.
Not only contributing to reducing the amount of waste discharged into the environment, the project also creates a bridge for used milk cartons to be transformed into meaningful gifts for children in difficult circumstances.
In the 2025 - 2026 school year, the project donated 680 liters of milk to 69 children at Lung Ca school point, Thai Nguyen province," Mr. Chung shared.
Through the project, TAGOM expects more and more people to form the habit of sorting waste at source, thereby contributing to building a green lifestyle and spreading the spirit of sharing in the community.
What we want is not only the milk boxes given away but also the formation of a habit of sorting waste in the community. When many people participate together, small actions will create great value for the environment and society," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh - Co-founder of TAGOM.
In the near future, TAGOM plans to expand more waste sorting practice stations in many localities, and develop environmental education programs to spread green lifestyles to students and people.
Every action, even the smallest, can create positive change. Let's practice TAGOM with waste sorting to give waste a different life," Ms. Thuy Linh expressed.
