Plastics pollution has reached crisis levels, threatening both Vietnam’s and the world’s marine ecosystems. Vietnam is among the top five source countries for the 8 million tons of plastic dumped into oceans each year.

On June 29, Ambassador Kritenbrink kicked off a conference on New Partnerships to Combat Oceans Plastic Pollution which featured National Geographic Explorer Dr. Jenna Jambeck and presentations by international and Vietnamese experts who are confronting this serious global environmental issue. USAID Mission Director Michael Greene announced two new grants under USAID’s Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Program (MWRP) to the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), a Vietnamese environmental organization. Now with a total of seven grants throughout Vietnam, this program is engaging with Vietnamese communities from Ha Long Bay in the north to Phu Quoc Island in the south to improve solid waste management and reduce the plastic pollution.

So What? Plastics are polluting our oceans, freshwater, and food chain. By piloting and scaling up small, innovative, local solutions, USAID can help Vietnam reduce its contribution to this global challenge.