Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have set up a plan to reduce the use of plastic bags in a bid to protect the local environment, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The municipal People’s Committee has recently tasked the Department of Education and Training, in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, with raising awareness of the harmful effects of plastic waste among students.

Meanwhile, the Department of Industry and Trade will be in charge of cooperating with the environmental department and district-level administrations to encourage local residents and businesses to reduce their use of plastic bags.

Markets and supermarkets across the southern metropolis will be asked to stop providing consumers with the type of bag, which takes a long time to decompose, and replace it with eco-friendly alternatives.

The results of this effort will be reviewed so that more effective measures will be taken in the future.

The municipal administration also requested local tax agencies to make sure that businesses pay their environmental taxes when consuming plastic bags, and to impose commensurate penalties upon violators.

The division in charge of market management will conduct more regular inspections of facilities specializing in the production of plastic bags.

In addition, district authorities will frequently examine plastic bag recycling venues for better management.

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