15. Inventory study of plastic waste from domestic activities in Ba Vi district, Hanoi city, and proposed mitigation solutions toward a circular economy approach

Abstract

Plastics are essential materials in daily life and various economic sectors. However, the management of post-consumer plastic products remains inadequate, leading to significant amounts of plastic waste leaking into the environment, negatively impacting ecosystems and human health. This study integrated the “Waste Wise Cities Tool” developed by UN-Habitat into a seven-day survey of 30 households across three communes/towns representing high, medium, and low economic groups. The aim was to calculate the total amount of municipal solid waste and plastic waste generated from both household and non-household sources, thereby enabling a comprehensive assessment of the plastic waste flow in Ba Vi district. The results indicate that plastic waste accounts for 7.6 to 11 % of the total municipal solid waste generated by households. The study estimates that household plastic waste across Ba Vi district amounts to 13.2 tons/day, while plastic waste from non-household sources reaches approximately 5.69 tons/day. These findings provide a critical scientific database, contributing to the development and proposal of effective plastic waste management and reduction solutions, ultimately supporting the goal of advancing the local circular economy.