The growing public awareness about green issues, however, has not occurred without support from the city government.

In fact, the city authority has been a leader in launching green consumption campaigns, with the first organised in 2010.

The annual event, which attracts nearly 2,000 volunteers, is only one of many green activities that the city has been promoting in recent years.

Nguyen Thi Hong, vice chairwoman of the city's People's Committee, said the city had urged consumers to buy products from companies that follow environmental regulations and produce safe, healthy products.

To improve their ecological footprint, many companies have begun to use renewable energy and power-saving devices, and to produce more organic and natural products.

Ho Quynh Hung, chairman of Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company, said that local consumers would boycott companies that did not make environmentally friendly products.

To meet demand, Dien Quang has updated its technology and products as well as its production methods, he said.

The effort has extended beyond the business sector, with several campaigns directed at youth.

Lotus University's Green Jobs We Choose forum and Green Empowering Contest, for example, are events that help young people find jobs in companies that cause the least damage to the environment.

Bayer Viet Nam is also aiming for the youth market, working with Tri Viet Company and the Organisation for Life&Learning for Environment and Community (Live&Learn) to produce the book "What is Wrong with the Earth?"

The book notes that "superheroes are not necessarily powerful people, but those people who do small things to make great things every day".

In the industrial sector, the city is taking steps to classify solid waste at the source, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

A number of local supermarkets, trade centres and several residential areas are required to separate solid waste so that more of it could be recycled.

Recycling also was part of a roofing project for the Ho Phuong Kindergarten in Binh Chanh District.

The organiser of Earth Hour 2013, in collaboration with Tetra Pak Viet Nam, Dong Tien Paper and Packaging Company and Tam Tan Quy Company, helped to recycle 8,000 milk cartons to produce 200 shingles that cover nearly 300 sq. metres of the school's roof. — VNS

EuroCham kicks off Green Biz activities

This year's Green Biz activities organised by EuroCham include field trips for students to learn about sustainable business practices and the shift from a "brown to green economy", the business chamber has announced.

Green-Biz activities, which will take place from May to September, will focus on real, practical challenges and outcomes, according to Preben Hjortland, EuroCham's chairman.

The main activities and conference for Green Biz 2013 will be held in Ha Noi from September 19-20. It will bring together stakeholders who will give presentations and take part in debates and network-sharing events. — VNS