With a profound awareness of the dire consequences of climate change, many Vietnamese youths are championing green lifestyles by introducing innovative approaches to goods production and embracing eco-friendly products.

"Green" and recycled materials are gaining momentum in Vietnam, driven by the passion of young individuals committed to contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly society.

Exploring "green" materials

At the age of 25, Nguyen Hoang An Khuong started to become aware of the detrimental impact of plastic waste on society and the environment.

Motivated to find alternatives, Khuong established The Greenmart Vietnam, a company which focuses on providing daily essentials, stationery, and clothing made from natural materials such as bamboo, grass, sedge, water hyacinth, and bulrush.

Tran Thi Thanh Tam (center) is dedicated to sustainable production, viewing it as the essential factor in creating environmentally friendly products. Photo: Khanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre

In a similar vein, Tran Thi Thanh Tam, the 34-year-old founder of Tiem Thua Nuoc, has also put a focus on producing environmentally-friendly consumer goods by recycling plastic waste using jesmonite, a durable and eco-friendly material that can bond with plastic and nylon to create new products using recycled materials.

Tiem Thua Nuoc’s recycling process includes molding broken pieces of plastics with colorant and jesmonite to create material with distinctive shapes, colors, and patterns.

"While we cannot eliminate plastic entirely, we can repurpose and recycle it into useful items, reducing harmful waste in the environment,” Tam said.

The rise of sustainable production

Tam and her team actively promote eco-friendly materials and technologies to students through workshops on crafting with green materials.

These initiatives aim to inspire a trend of sustainable production, particularly in the fields of crafts, arts, and interior design.

Recently, a group of students from Ton Duc Thang University's industrial design department transformed over 100 kilograms of plastic waste into a multi-functional CD player cabinet and a versatile wardrobe.

According to group member Nguyen Ngoc Yen Phuong, the group’s intention was to create unique, multi-functional products from plastic bags and bottles using patterns to convey the importance of recycling.

"The patterns of rounds and circles symbolize the circulation of recycled materials - a process where a used product is given a new life by being recycled for a different purpose," Phuong said.

"With these two products, we are harnessing our creative capabilities and demonstrating our commitment to innovation by developing solutions for pressing environmental issues," said Phuong.

Crafted with inspiration from the risks associated with plastic waste in the ocean, these keychain models are made from recycled materials, including straws, bottle caps, wrappers, and nylon bags. Photo: Tiem Nua Thuoc

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