To maintain food production and reduce yield losses, Vietnam’s farmers invest in significant amounts of pesticide (using nearly 100,000 tonnes annually, with 50 to 60 per cent applied directly to crops). Unfortunately, while pesticides are vital for protecting crops in the country from pests and diseases, there is a need to properly dispose of the pesticide packaging which is also referred to as container management.
To mitigate against human health and environmental risks over the last 30 years, there has been significant global investment in the establishment of sustainable empty pesticide container management systems. This global community as well as agricultural and environmental experts were invited to the recent 2024 International Container Management Symposium (CMS 2024) held in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam. There, they worked to understand how to improve effective management and communication strategies to protect the environment while enhancing crop production not only in Vietnam but the whole of Southeast Asia.
Co-hosted by CropLife International, CropLife Asia, CropLife Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Plant Protection Department and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), the symposium gathered more than 50 global experts to discuss innovative solutions for pesticide packaging waste management. The participants agreed on the importance of the circular economy in managing empty pesticide containers in Vietnam and beyond.
Embracing the circular economy for a greener future
A Circular Economy approach aims to reduce waste and environmental impact by reusing and recycling materials. Embracing the circular economy offers a systematic approach to effectively manage used pesticide containers without creating runoff.
At the symposium, Nguyen Van Son, Chair of the Vietnam Pesticide Producers and Traders Association (VIPA), recommended that the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment proactively advise local authorities to allocate funds for the collection and disposal of used pesticide packaging. He also emphasised the importance of promoting the role of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a regulatory policy that makes producers responsible for the environmental impact of their products and enforcing strict legal actions against violations.
Dang Van Bao, Chair of CropLife Vietnam, advised that establishing long-term financial mechanisms will facilitate the systematic collection and disposal of pesticide packaging and other agricultural waste in the long term. He pointed out that CropLife Vietnam has worked closely with VIPA and various partners in recent years, utilising the same strategy, and has successfully launched pilot models for safe and effective pesticide use in key agricultural production areas.
Introducing best pesticide container management practices from across the region
Several other countries in the Asia-Pacific region have also implemented successful programs that can serve as models, with China, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand leading the way.
In Malaysia, the National Recycling Program for Empty Used Pesticide Containers has achieved remarkable success since its inception more than two decades ago. Beginning as a pilot project in 2001, it has evolved into a nationwide initiative, recycling more than a million kilograms of pesticide containers since 2004. This program not only promotes recycling but also encourages stakeholder participation through voucher redemption schemes.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, CropLife has collaborated with Geocycle Waste Management to collect and dispose of empty pesticide containers, effectively integrating smallholder farmers into the process. By establishing ‘Waste Bank’ facilities, these initiatives have empowered local communities while addressing the critical issue of pesticide container waste. Australia’s drumMUSTER programme also exemplifies effective container management, having diverted over 42 million drums from landfills since 1999. Furthermore, the recent Drums-to-Drums initiative aims to recycle and remake nearly a million plastic agricultural chemical drums each year.
Implementing these model pesticide container management strategies will not only enhance agricultural productivity in Vietnam but also mitigate the environmental impacts associated with pesticide use. It would lead to cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems, and safer food products for consumers.
Towards Vietnam’s sustainable future
As Vietnam works towards enhancing its food systems, the insights and experiences shared at the symposium can guide policymakers and stakeholders in implementing effective strategies for managing pesticide packaging waste.
Collaborations between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international organisations like CropLife International will be crucial in fostering a green and circular agricultural development model. By adopting proven practices from regional counterparts and fostering partnerships among government, industry, and local communities, Vietnam can lead the way in establishing a robust framework for responsible container management. It could pave the way for a more sustainable future, successfully enhancing both food systems and the health of the environment.