Under the negative impacts of waste, the circular economy is considered a very necessary solution for post-use packaging, especially for aluminum can packaging. Recent research shows that in Vietnam, the average recycling rate of aluminum can packaging is at 77%.

Current situation of waste collection and recycling in Vietnam

Eunomia Research & Consulting, an environmental and waste management consultancy in the UK, said that there are currently more than 728,000 tons of beverage packaging in the form of PET plastic, HDPE, PP bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans on the market. However, not 100% of the packaging is properly collected or can be recycled.

While the majority of municipal waste recycling in Vietnam is undertaken by the informal sector with collection rates ranging from 40% – 95%. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the only two cities with a high collection capacity of 95%, particularly in rural areas, this figure is much lower.

According to the latest research from Eunomia (2022), not all materials are equally recyclable. The researchers found that aluminum beverage packaging had the highest recycling rate at an average rate of 77% while PET plastic bottles, cartons and glass were at 45%, 4% and 14%, respectively.

Although the recycling process always occurs, aluminum cans have the least loss rate (4%), while other materials such as plastic (10%), laminated packaging or carton boxes (28%) ,... there is a much higher level of loss. In fact, the complexity in the structure of laminated packaging increases the loss rate and aluminum cans have the lowest loss rate because they are made from single materials.

Increase recycling rates – solutions that contribute to the circular economy

Improving the recycling rate is a very important task for Vietnam to be able to move towards a circular economy and the goal of achieving net emissions of "zero". However, policies should be built on a solid database and need to carry out various studies to determine the current status of Vietnam, thereby having an appropriate transformation roadmap.

In addition, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and circular economy are closely interrelated. EPR is considered an effective, successful mechanism and brings great environmental, social and economic benefits, which is the key to promoting the circular economy globally.

According to Kantar's report, in recent years, 78% of Vietnamese consumers are concerned about environmental issues, especially climate change. Vietnam can completely return to "zero" net emissions when there is close coordination between the government, businesses and people. Vietnamese people are always looking for more sustainable solutions for packaging. To move towards a circular economy model, it is time for businesses and governments to have specific policies to promote the energy transition towards green, clean and sustainable.