Hanoi, July 3, 2026 – In response to International Plastic Bag Free Day (July 3), Central Retail Vietnam collaborated with the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, alongside partners including Unilever Vietnam, Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam, Pacific Environment (PE), For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF), and major retailers to organize a series of activities under the theme “Promoting the Circular Economy among Retailers.” The initiative aims to promote sustainable consumption and reduce plastic waste.
As the host of this year’s launching ceremony at GO! Thang Long, Central Retail Vietnam continues to affirm its pioneering role in driving the green retail model. The company accompanies the Government and partners in building a sustainable consumption ecosystem through practical solutions to minimize single-use plastics and foster a circular economy.
According to statistics, the world generates approximately 430 million tons of plastic annually. While a plastic bag is used for an average of just 12 minutes, it can take up to 500 years to decompose. This reality demands collective action from the entire society, particularly retail enterprises—the direct bridge to millions of consumers every day.
Within the framework of this year’s program, consumers can participate in various experiential activities designed to raise awareness about sustainable consumption. These include recycling workshops at GO! Thang Long, green check-ins, and interactive games on plastic waste reduction across the retail systems of participating businesses. Notably, at the end of July 2026, the workshop “Promoting the Circular Economy among Retailers” will be held to share international experiences, evaluate campaign results, and discuss solutions to advance the circular economy within Vietnam’s retail sector.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr. Chalermchai Pornsiripiyakool, Head of International Corporate Affairs & CSR of Central Retail Vietnam, stated:
“Promoting the circular economy is one of the core pillars in Central Retail Vietnam’s sustainable development strategy. We believe that building a sustainable retail model must begin with changes within our own operations—from material selection and waste management to encouraging customers to form responsible consumption habits.”
He also shared that Central Retail Vietnam has successfully transitioned 100% of conventional plastic bags to biodegradable bags at checkout counters across its entire supermarket network nationwide. Additionally, the business has converted over 90% of packaging at Deli counters to bio-based, environmentally friendly alternatives.
Furthermore, at checkout areas, Central Retail Vietnam provides complimentary cardboard boxes and alternative packaging solutions, offering customers more choices when shopping. This helps reduce plastic bag usage while maintaining convenience.
“Changing consumer habits takes time. Throughout implementation, we have received varied feedback from customers. However, Central Retail Vietnam believes this is the right direction. We will continue to persist in communication, listen to feedback, and make improvements so that green shopping becomes more convenient, accessible, and gradually evolves into a daily habit for consumers,” Mr. Chalermchai emphasized.
Representing the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director, highly appreciated the role of retail enterprises in the transition to a circular economy model. He noted:
“To promote the circular economy among retailers, we must start with practical changes in both business models and consumer behavior. Reducing the use of single-use plastic bags, encouraging customers to use reusable bags, enhancing waste separation at source, as well as collecting and recycling post-consumer packaging are vital solutions to close the product lifecycle loop and build a sustainable consumption ecosystem.”
As one of the leading retailers in Vietnam, Central Retail identifies sustainable development not only as a responsibility but also as a driving force to create long-term value for the community, customers, and the business. By partnering with regulatory agencies, international organizations, and industry peers, Central Retail expects to continue spreading practical initiatives, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste, promoting a circular economy, and heading towards Vietnam’s sustainable development goals.
