Finalist: Plastic Circular Innovation Solution 2024

Vietnam is currently at a pivotal moment in its fight against plastic waste with 71% of waste ending up in unhygienic landfills and improper plastic treatment, creating an urgent need for innovative recycling and waste management solutions. In response to this challenge, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), in collaboration with Unilever Vietnam, the British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham), and the Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF), launched the Plastics Circularity Innovation Challenge in April 2024. The initiative attracted over 100 applications from organisations and individuals across the country.

With the aim of fostering innovative solutions in the plastic circular value chain and promoting a circular economy in managing and addressing plastic waste, Unilever has partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and other co-organizers to launch the "Plastic Circular Innovation Solutions 2024" competition.

After more than five months of initiation and outreach, the program attracted over 1,000 individuals and organizations across various fields, gathering nearly 100 breakthrough solution proposals and ideas. This turnout reflects a strong commitment from numerous organizations and individuals to tackle plastic waste.

Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân, General Director of Unilever Vietnam, spoke at the event: Commenting on the competition, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân shared that it’s not only a platform for unique, innovative ideas to shine but also a space to explore the potential of a circular economy. Contestants are pioneers paving the way for a greener future. With passion and intellect, they’ve discovered creative solutions, sustainable production processes, and eco-friendly products. Unilever is proud to see a talented and environmentally conscious young generation in Vietnam actively engaging and taking action.

The competition showcased other impressive solutions, such as full-cycle packaging and large-scale plastic waste collection and processing solutions. Many solutions are ready for application but require significant investment from industry-relevant organizations to achieve economic viability. Unilever Vietnam hopes to gain support from investment funds, banks, and bilateral and multilateral partners, especially environmental funds, to develop these innovative ideas and projects further.

As part of a national effort, Unilever Vietnam has joined NPAP (National Plastic Action Partnership), actively collaborating with MONRE to contribute to national goals. Unilever has optimized product packaging to reduce virgin plastic use and increase recyclability while maintaining product quality and customer experience.

To date, Unilever has reduced virgin plastic by over 50%, with 64% of its packaging now recyclable. The company has achieved plastic neutrality (collecting and recycling more plastic than it releases) and has implemented multiple projects supporting recyclers like Duy Tân and VietCycle, while also providing support for waste collectors’ livelihoods, training, sanitation, and health insurance.

In the Promising Solutions Category:

– The Comprehensive Solution for the Plastic Bottle Recycling System in Vietnam team won the Breakthrough Solution Award, with a total prize value of 200 million VND, including 100 million VND in cash, a certificate, and technical support from the program.

– The Innovative Solution Award went to two teams: Alternative Solution for Aluminum-Coated Packaging and Buyo Bioplastic – A Sustainable Solution Against Plastic Pollution, with a total prize value of 100 million VND.
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– The Outstanding Solution Award was given to two teams: Eco Plastic Panels – Where Plastic Waste Finds New Life and Grac – Technology Application in Plastic Waste Collection, with a total prize of 50 million VND.
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In the Creative Innovation Category:

– The Exceptional Creative Idea Award was awarded to the Hacin team for Transforming Plastic Waste into Self-Healing Building Materials, with a total prize value of 50 million VND.
– The Favorite Initiative Award went to the DTS Automatic Plastic Waste Sorting System team, with a prize value of 30 million VND.