From mountainous regions to remote islands, waste-sorting bins and training sessions delivered by Green Summer volunteers, accompanied by the For a Green Future Foundation, an initiative of Vingroup, are nurturing sustainable living habits, where people learn to respect the environment through even the smallest daily actions.

In recent weeks, the family of Mr. Trần Trí Tráng in Hamlet 1 on Bạch Long Vĩ Island has begun practicing waste sorting at home. Previously, it was common for household waste to be mixed together and buried on-site.

“In the past, we weren’t given clear guidance, so all household waste was mixed together. Now, with three-compartment bins, my family is learning how to identify and sort waste properly. It takes a bit more effort, but we can now reuse materials more effectively,” Mr. Tráng shared.

From Remote Islands to Rural Villages

Vũ Minh Thuận, a resident of Residential Area No. 2, noted that waste sorting had previously received little attention. “We only separated bottles to sell as scrap, while plastic bags and food waste were all thrown into one bin,” he said.

Due to geographical isolation and limited transportation, most household waste on the island was treated through manual burial, according to Ninh Khắc Trường, Secretary of the Youth Union of Bạch Long Vĩ Special Administrative Zone.

During field surveys conducted by the Youth Union of Hanoi University of Culture, it was found that most waste remained unsorted, including many non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, batteries, seafood shells, grease, and nylon bags. Over time, leachate from such waste could seep into the soil and potentially contaminate underground water sources.

With the message “Sort Today – Clean Island Tomorrow,” student volunteers from Hanoi University of Culture braved the waves to deliver three-compartment waste bins to one of the most remote island districts in the Gulf of Tonkin.

At the same time, ten organic composting kits were distributed to households most capable of adopting the model, helping reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.

Beyond Bạch Long Vĩ, this summer thousands of student volunteers have brought their energy and dedication to rural villages and remote communities nationwide, working collectively to improve living conditions.

Bùi Thị Diệu Linh, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union at University of Education – Vietnam National University Hanoi, shared that in Lóng Phiêng Commune (Sơn La Province), waste was often discarded along roadsides and even within school grounds. Some residents repurposed old water tanks, cutting holes to dump and burn waste inside, practices that cause pollution and pose serious risks.

“We organized a two-day training program on environmental protection, while mobilizing both residents and students to clean up local areas. Seeing the visible difference before and after cleanup helped people better understand the value of maintaining a clean environment,” she said.

Scaling Up Green Living Models

Over 200 kilometers away, in Tân Mỹ Commune (Tuyên Quang Province), the Youth Union of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Vietnam provided 100 waste bins to reduce littering, pollution, and disease risks.

According to Hoàng Trần Trung, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, waste collection and sorting had previously been inconsistent, negatively impacting both the environment and rural landscapes.

“Thanks to the attention of local authorities and support from organizations, including the For a Green Future Foundation, waste sorting at source and organic waste treatment using microbial methods have now been implemented,” he said. “Public awareness has improved significantly. Many households have begun sorting waste, abandoning the habit of indiscriminate disposal, especially among young people and women, who have responded very actively.”

He emphasized that beyond awareness, training plays a crucial role in aligning understanding and changing behavior, turning waste sorting into a daily habit and contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more civilized way of life.

Waste-sorting bins and training sessions are just one part of the broader Green Summer Campaign 2025, a nationwide initiative supported by the For a Green Future Foundation in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union across 33 universities and institutions.

To date, nearly 400 waste bins have been delivered by student volunteers to communities nationwide, from mountainous regions to remote islands.

“This program not only raises environmental awareness but also makes the island more beautiful, ensuring that future generations can live in a cleaner environment,” said Thuận, who has witnessed years of change on Bạch Long Vĩ.

In Tân Mỹ, local authorities are planning to sustain and expand the waste-sorting model through community self-management groups and grassroots communication teams in each village. “If implemented consistently, scientifically, and over the long term, living standards will undoubtedly improve. The environment will be cleaner, the landscape more beautiful, and agricultural products safer and more sustainable,” Mr. Trung noted.

To ensure that the journey toward green living continues to expand, Trần Chiều Phụng, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union at Hanoi University of Culture, emphasized the vital role of the For a Green Future Foundation in providing resources and acting as a bridge to spread youth-driven initiatives nationwide.

“With the Foundation’s support, we have laid the first bricks, from small waste bins to instilling the habit of waste sorting at source among residents in remote islands. This is a crucial driving force for building and preserving the environment, not only for coastal and island areas but for the entire country,” he affirmed.