FrieslandCampina Vietnam's EPR Pact: Redefining Sustainability in Packaging
On November 14, FrieslandCampina Vietnam, alongside Dong Tien Binh Duong Paper Company and Truong Thinh Construction Mechanical Company, inked a strategic alliance aimed at revolutionizing packaging collection and recycling initiatives. This collaborative effort represents a pioneering move by FrieslandCampina Vietnam and its local partners to proactively implement the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), set to come into effect on January 1, 2024.
Driving Sustainability Through Partnership
The core objective of this partnership is to emulate a cooperative model involving manufacturers, collection units, and packaging recycling facilities. By doing so, the collaborators seek to not only enhance recycling collection capacity but also lay the groundwork for broader implementation. This concerted effort is integral to achieving the ambitious target of collecting and treating 95% of urban solid waste, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Vietnam National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030.
The momentous signing ceremony attracted a host of dignitaries, including Mr. Guido Van Rooy, Executive Director of Dutch Business Association Vietnam; Mr. Daniel Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Ngo Thanh Mua, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Binh Duong Province; Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice Chairman; and Ms. Delphine Rousselet, Executive Director of Eurocham Vietnam; Mr. Tran Ngoc Liem, Director of VCCI HCMC; and Ms. Chu Kim Thanh, Chief Operating Officer of PRO Vietnam.
EPR: A Catalyst for Change
The partnership underscores the global recognition of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as an effective environmental policy approach in waste management. EPR mandates manufacturers and importers to shoulder environmental responsibility throughout the entire lifecycle of their products, from design and production to consumption and disposal. This policy serves as a catalyst for promoting the circular economy and has demonstrated positive outcomes in numerous European countries.
Vietnam's Pioneering Role
Vietnam stands as one of the trailblazers in Southeast Asia, having enforced EPR as a mandatory regulation, institutionalized through the 2005 Environmental Protection Law and specified in Decree 08/2022/ND-CP. FrieslandCampina Vietnam, renowned for brands such as Dutch Lady Milk, Friso, Yomost, etc., has strategically positioned Sustainable Packaging as one of the six focal points in the company's comprehensive sustainable development strategy. The company is committed to ensuring that, by 2030, 100% of the packaging it utilizes and produces will be collected and recycled.
Mr. Richard Kiger, General Director of FrieslandCampina Vietnam, expressed his pride in being at the forefront of companies implementing sustainable development strategies in Vietnam. He shared his pleasure in collaborating with Vietnamese businesses, joining forces in pioneering efforts to address waste challenges by applying the circular economy model.
This groundbreaking partnership marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. FrieslandCampina Vietnam, along with its esteemed collaborators, is setting a commendable example for businesses striving to make a positive impact on the planet.
