Tay Ninh, April 24, 2026 – Under the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, DUYTAN Recycling (DTR) co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam (UNDP) a Supplier Forum Promotes Responsible Sourcing Practice in the Recycled Plastics Chain and Recognizing the Role of Informal Workers, with the participation of suppliers, informal workers in the recycling value chain, development partners, and representatives of relevant authorities.
The event provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect on the initial results of the Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) in Vietnam, while strengthening dialogue on the roles of suppliers and informal workers in the plastic collection, sorting, and recycling chain. The program also helped raise awareness and foster shared commitment toward a more transparent, equitable, and sustainable recycled plastics supply chain. In 2025, RSI was rolled out across tiers in DTR’s recycled plastics chain, with early positive results including: over 2,000 workers in the chain receiving capacity-building support and livelihood improvements through benefit packages such as health insurance, facility upgrades, occupational safety training, and access to preferential loans. As a result, an estimated 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste were collected responsibly.
Mr. Le Viet Dong Hieu, Deputy Marketing Director of DUYTAN Group, shared: “We believe that every connection in the recycling value chain must be built on principles of clear, transparent purchasing, respect for workers, and joint capacity-building with partners — creating long-term stability and sustainability for the ecosystem.”
In Viet Nam, informal workers in the waste sector play a crucial role in recovering recyclable materials, reducing pressure on the waste management system, and supporting circular economy goals. However, this workforce continues to face numerous challenges, including livelihood risks, lack of access to social security, inadequate working conditions, and limited recognition. In the context of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy being implemented, promoting responsible procurement and strengthening the participation of the informal sector has become increasingly essential. Mr. Hoang Thanh Vinh, UNDP Viet Nam, emphasized that the RSI’s goal is to achieve sustainable practices across the entire chain — ensuring long-term operation and improved working conditions for all workers throughout the supply chain.
Through the event, DTR, UNDP, and partners shared the results of RSI implementation in Vietnam, updated intervention directions for 2026, and introduced the DTR Prioritised Supplier Program (DPSP) currently being piloted with DTR. This program aims to support suppliers in progressively improving their procurement practices, working conditions, and ability to meet increasingly high standards for social responsibility and compliance within the recycled plastics value chain. Ms. Vo Thi Kim Thuy, Head of Purchasing at DUYTAN Recycling, affirmed that DTR’s recognition of workers in the chain is not merely symbolic, but a genuine appreciation for the quiet and invaluable contributions of informal workers.
During the forum, delegates also exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges facing the plastics recycling industry amid EPR implementation, and discussed ways to strengthen coordination among recyclers, suppliers, development partners, and waste worker groups in the chain. The event also recognized the participation and contributions of suppliers — particularly those who have been consistently engaged throughout the pilot activities and improvements in responsible sourcing practices.
The forum underscored that promoting responsible sourcing is not only the market requirement, but also an opportunity to build a more inclusive recycling value chain — one in which the roles and contributions of informal workers are recognized. The forum marks a further step in the efforts of DTR, UNDP, and partners to support the development of meaningful cooperation models among businesses, suppliers, and labor communities in the recycling chain, thereby contributing to the goals of reducing plastic pollution, advancing the circular economy, and ensuring a just transition in the waste management sector.
