In Dien Bien, there is a group of people quietly, without big slogans, without grand programs, they are simply people who pick up trash together after each festival, each crowded event. They call themselves by a very special name: "Trash-loving Association".
According to local information, the "Trash Love Association" in Dien Bien was established in 2017 with about 60 members who are union members, youth and local people. For nearly a decade, they have regularly organized environmental cleanup campaigns, at least once a month. Not only collecting garbage, members also sort it on the spot to facilitate treatment or recycling.
It is worth mentioning that all these activities are voluntary. Without large funding, without a complex organizational structure, but every time they launch, members still prepare full protective gear, drinking water, and even snacks so that everyone can participate together.
Clean-up sessions often take place at times when many people have left after crowded events, such as festivals or cultural programs.
Recently, right after the opening night of the Ban Flower Festival at Dien Bien Provincial Stadium, nearly 30 members of the association together picked up each plastic bottle, nylon bag and paper box left behind.
That image may not appear much in the media, but it carries a very profound meaning. Because behind the bags of garbage collected is the spirit of responsibility to the community and environmental protection awareness.
In the current context, when domestic waste and plastic waste are becoming increasingly worrying issues, such small actions become even more precious.
It is not always necessary to have large campaigns or large-scale programs to change the living environment. Sometimes, just a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and pick up each piece of garbage on the street has already made a difference.
What is commendable about the "Trash Love Association" model is not only cleaning up the environment. More importantly, it is the way this model is gradually spreading environmental protection awareness to the community, especially young people.
There are many young members in the association, even students. Students participate not because of obligations, but because they want to contribute a small part to their homeland. Directly participating in picking up trash and cleaning up the environment helps each person better understand the value of a clean and beautiful living space.
From those experiences, environmental awareness also gradually forms and becomes a habit.
Reality shows that environmental issues cannot only rely on sanitation workers. Although they work very hard, if community awareness does not change, garbage will continue to appear after each festival, each crowded event.
From the story in Dien Bien, it can be seen that if each locality had such volunteer groups, the living environment would certainly be significantly improved.
Schools, mass organizations or residential communities can completely learn and replicate this model.
