Silent after the festival
Established in 2017, the Dien Bien Provincial Garbage Lovers Association currently has about 60 permanent members who are union members, youth and people in the central area of the province.
Not only "clean up", garbage after collection is also sorted on the spot such as: Inorganic waste is collected for the Environmental Company to treat, and recycled waste (bottles, cardboard) is sold as scrap to create a source of funding to maintain the Association's operations.
Mr. Tong Van Chung - Head of the Dien Bien Provincial Garbage Lovers Association said that the Association maintains organizing cleanup campaigns at least once a month.
Accordingly, the cleanup program at locations is always planned early by the Association, conducted surveys and combined with people and local authorities.
Every time we launch a campaign, we receive very positive responses from people, tourists and students" - Mr. Tong Van Chung said.
Also according to Mr. Chung, although no fees are collected from members, in each launching session, participants are fully equipped with protective gear and the organizers prepare drinks, fruits, and snacks.
Recently, on the evening of March 8, right after the opening night of the Ban Flower Festival at Dien Bien Provincial Stadium closed, nearly 30 members of the "Love of Garbage" Association participated in the activity of picking up and collecting waste.
Each plastic bottle, nylon bag, and paper box left behind has been cleaned up. This is an annual activity of the Association to join hands in preserving cultural beauty after each festival season, supporting to reduce pressure on environmental sanitation workers.
This action also sends a message that every visitor when coming to Dien Bien feels hospitality and a green, clean and beautiful environment.
Spreading to young people
Hai Linh (17 years old, Thanh An commune, member of the "Love of Trash" Association) shared: "After each festival, a large amount of trash remains. Most of this work belongs to sanitation workers, but the "Love of Trash" Association has volunteered, calling on young people to participate in cleaning.
The association has grandmothers, brothers and sisters of all ages silently contributing. I feel very proud because I have contributed a small part to my homeland".
Not only operating at festivals, the "Love of Trash" Association also integrates the message of environmental protection into traditional customs.
Typically, during the recent Ong Cong Ong Tao Tet holiday, in the Vu A Dinh Park area (Dien Bien Phu ward), the Association coordinated with the Ward Youth Union to support people to "release fish, not release plastic bags".
According to Mr. Tong Van Chung, in the coming time, the Association will join hands to build a healthy and civilized urban living environment in the locality, contributing a small part to the development of public culture associated with tourism development.
I hope that the activities of the Association will be strongly spread to school units, especially young people, students, so that everyone will be responsible and protect the environment together" - Head of the "Love of Trash" Association group said.
