Vietnam Urged to Mandate Recycled Materials in Public Construction Projects

Vietnam's public investment projects are grappling with a scarcity of construction materials, causing significant delays. Simultaneously, the nation's construction waste recycling industry is struggling to gain traction, primarily due to a lack of market mechanisms and stable demand for recycled products, rather than technological limitations.

To address this, the article suggests adopting mandatory quotas for recycled materials in public projects, similar to practices in other countries. The proposal includes requiring state-funded projects to use a minimum of 20% to 30% recycled materials and aggregates, with the potential to increase this to over 50% for auxiliary works and transportation infrastructure like highways. These targets should be integrated into the design and bidding phases, becoming a prerequisite for project approval and fund disbursement.

Furthermore, the establishment of a national-level body is recommended to standardize technical guidelines, develop economic-technical norms, and ensure the quality and competitiveness of recycled aggregates. During a transition period, adopting international technical standards could expedite testing and implementation. Mobile crushing stations deployed at demolition sites are also proposed to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact.

Drawing on international experience, the article highlights successful mandatory recycling policies in Japan and Singapore, where public projects incorporate 30% to 50% recycled materials. The UAE also has a legal framework for construction waste recycling, and many European countries impose high taxes on landfilling construction debris. This administrative approach is presented as a key strategy to drive the market and attract private investment into the environmental industry, ultimately reducing net emissions.