Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue with devastating ecological consequences impacting birds and marine wildlife, food safety, ecotourism, and many other environmental aspects. In May, USAID’s Municipal Waste Recycling Program awarded a $250,000 grant to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Vietnam to reduce plastic pollution on tourism-oriented Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. The activity will work with hotels, tour operators, and fishing boats to manage and reduce their plastic waste and educate their clientele. In addition, the activity will work with the local government to develop regulations on plastic management. With this new award to WWF, USAID’s Municipal Waste Recycling Program now has five active grants in Vietnam, each working in a different location to pilot solutions to plastic pollution.

So What? Vietnam is among the top five source countries for the eight million tons of plastic dumped into oceans each year. By piloting and scaling up small, innovative, local solutions, USAID can help Vietnam reduce their contribution to this global issue.