Single-use Plastics: Legal Perceptions and Self-Reported Behavior in Vietnam

Abstract

Plastic pollution has become a serious global threat to ecosystems, human health, and economies, particularly in countries with coastlines such as Vietnam. The 3R approach (reduce, reuse, recycle) has been recognized as an important strategy to minimize plastic waste and reduce the risk of plastic entering the ocean. However, changing single-use plastic consumption habits is a great challenge that requires awareness, education and action. This study uses mixed methods, including a survey and semi-structured interviews, to explore: 1) Single-use plastic consumption and 3R behaviors of Vietnamese people; 2) How they perceive the current environmental regulation enforcement; and 3) How they perceive the role of stakeholders in the plastic problem. A self-nominated sample of 202 participants residing in Hoi An City, Ha Noi Capital and Ho Chi Minh City responded to the survey, and in-depth interviews were conducted with ten key informants (including workers from the public and private institutions, citizens and researchers). The results suggest that the convenience, affordability, availability and durability of plastics are the drivers of consumption, while legal bans, health and environmental concerns are motivators of reduction. For 3R behaviors, the participants reported the highest level of recycling, followed by reducing and reusing, acknowledging the help of Vietnamese traditional habits such as selling “ve chai” (recyclables) and using “cặp lồng” (inox food containers) for their 3R behaviors. Finally, the participants observed that penalties for plastic littering are low and too leniently enforced, especially for businesses. They also believed that stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and consumers are the main actors in tackling the single-use plastic waste problem. This study provides some recommendations based on these findings.