In response to the decision 175/KH-UBND dated on 09 September 2015 of Ha Noi People Committee in holding activities to support the “Clean up the world” campaign 2015, Ha Noi Department of Natural Resources and Environment in cooperation with People Committee of Cau Giay and Ba Dinh Districts will officially introduce Vietnam Recycles – the free take-back program for used or defective electronic equipment – to the citizens. The introductory is hosted at the Culture Center of Nghia Tan Ward, Cau Giay District, Ha Noi on 26 September 2015.

Vietnam Recycles is the free take-back program for used or defective electronic equipment sponsored by HP and Apple. E-wastes will be collected at the five collection points in five wards of two central districts of Ha Noi. The program aims to call for public participation in building a greener Vietnam through conducting safe and sound e-waste recycling practices.

The program aims to call for Hanoians to join hands in building a greener environment through collection, treatment, and disposal systems of e-waste.

Five e-waste collection points have been set up to collect e-waste over a long period of time with the following criteria: Containers of equipment meeting international standards for hazardous waste collection; places for placing electronic equipment containers should be accessible for everyone and transportation process; collection points are always safe, protected to manage containers daily.

The collected equipment will be sorted according to product categories and dismantled in a designated facility to assure maximum material recovery of the different commodities.

“Improper disposal of e-waste has been causing tremendously negative impacts on the environment; however, the level of public awareness regarding the treatment of waste of electrical and electronic equipment is very limited. Vietnam Recycles is guided by an idea that manufacturers, consumers and governments have a shared responsibility for treating end-of-life electronic equipment in an environmentally responsible manner. Through this program, we want to give hands to authorities in protecting Vietnam’s environment and human health by helping and training the communities the habit of disposing and recycling electronic waste in a proper and responsible manner” shared by Mr. Kok Wah Boey, Head of Environmental Management, HP Asia Pacific and Japan.

On the day, many people in Nghia Tan ward, where the ceremony took place, brought diverse old electronic products into the containers.

Taking place with a wealth of interesting activities like mini games, quizzes, and music performances, the event is expected to provide visitors with extensive knowledge about professional e-waste recycling as well as encouraging members of the public to dispose unwanted electronic and electrical equipment at the designated points to keep the environment clean and green.