Vietnam’s recycling industry faces EPR overhaul

Mohamed Dabo

Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 11:29 PM 4 min read

Vietnam's recycling industry is undergoing a profound shift due to the introduction of EPR regulations.

The new law, under Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP, mandates that manufacturers and importers take responsibility for managing the end-of-life of the products they place on the market.

This regulation, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, is expected to significantly change how businesses handle waste, from packaging materials to electronic devices and tyres.

By shifting the burden of waste management from consumers and local authorities to producers, Vietnam is aiming to create a more sustainable recycling system and support the country's long-term environmental goals.

Under the EPR framework, producers and importers of certain products must ensure that their goods are properly collected, reused, and recycled at the end of their lifecycle.

These products include plastic packaging, batteries, tyres, and electronic goods like smartphones, computers, and televisions.

Companies now have two options to fulfil their responsibilities: they can either build their own recycling systems or contribute to the Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund (VEPF), which is designed to support the country's recycling infrastructure.

One of the most notable aspects of the EPR regulations is the inclusion of mandatory recycling targets. These targets will increase every three years, encouraging businesses to innovate and improve recycling rates over time.

For example, packaging used in food products, cosmetics, and medicine must meet strict recycling quotas, promoting circularity in the packaging sector.

As Vietnam continues to embrace the circular economy model, the EPR policy will play a crucial role in reducing waste and improving sustainability across industries.

Among the various waste streams addressed by the EPR regulations, electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the most challenging.

The rapid technological advancements in artificial intelligence and high-tech devices, coupled with the relatively short lifespan of electronic products, make e-waste recycling a complex issue.

Devices such as smartphones, laptops, and televisions often contain valuable materials, including precious metals like gold, silver, and copper.

However, these materials are difficult to extract, and the recycling process itself can be costly and technically demanding.

In Vietnam, there is a growing need for advanced recycling facilities that can safely and efficiently handle e-waste, recovering these precious materials while preventing environmental harm.