Context

The Viet Nam's 2020 Environmental Protection Law (LEP) supplements new provisions related to waste management towards a circular economy and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy. The implementation of EPR mechanisms is predicted to bring about significant changes in the waste management system, particularly impacting the informal waste workers (IWWs) in the collection and recycling of waste. This group may be significantly affected by these mechanisms as EPR primarily involves the participation of businesses in waste collection, recycling, and processing of plastic waste in the formal sector. Therefore, interventions in planning and policy enforcement are crucial to not only ensure their livelihoods but also enable them to access, connect, and benefit from EPR policies. 

Action

Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) - Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Task Force, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the IUCN - PRO Vietnam Strategic Partnership Program, and the National EPR Office, organized a consultation workshop on "The Role of the Informal Waste Workers in Solid Waste Management and Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)" with the objective:

1.    Acknowledge the role and significance of the informal waste workers in waste collection and recycling activities;

2.    Explore mechanisms and solutions for the informal waste workers to carry out collection activities for licensed recycling companies in accordance with EPR regulations;

3.    Discuss policy recommendations on just transition for informal sector in Viet Nam

Impact

The workshop gained significant attention and active participation from key partners in the plastic sector. By its conclusion, a joint policy brief titled "The Role of Informal Waste Workers in Solid Waste Management and the Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)" was collaboratively developed and shared with members of the GESI Task Force.