Hanoi city launched a program under which rubbish is traded for gifts since August 15, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The program is part of the project on sorting waste at source jointly executed by Hanoi Urban Environment Company Limited (Urenco) and International Limited Liability Company Unilever Vietnam.

Garbage for gifts exchange location in Phan Chu Trinh ward, Hanoi. Photo: Manh Khanh/VNA

Director of Urenco’s Hoan Kiem branch Dang Huu Binh said that Hoan Kiem district was chosen by the municipal government to pilot this program.

Accordingly, Hanoi residents can exchange scrap paper, plastic and metals at designated locations in the city for cash or household items such as hand sanitizer, laundry soap, and cloth bags for garbage sorting, among others.

The program drew large participation of people right on the first day of launching.

Nguyen Van Cuong, a resident in Phan Chu Trinh ward, Hoan Kiem district, said he traded old books and newspapers for antiseptic hand sanitizer, a useful item for the moment to curb Covid-19 spread.

“In response to the Hanoi People's Committee's plan on preventing and combating plastic waste and nylon bags, this is a meaningful and effective program. We hope that waste separation at source will be replicated in Hanoi to contribute to reducing the workload of sanitation workers in the city," Cuong said.

Every Saturday morning, Urenco will carry out the program in three wards of Hoan Kiem districts namely Phan Chu Trinh, Cua Dong and Ly Thai To.

"Our long-term goal is to implement the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in garbage collection. People will install software that helps them separate the waste at source, then they can set a timetable for sanitation workers to pick up trash at home," said Urenco's branch manager in Hoan Kiem.