Vietnam tightens recycling rules: How companies are staying competitive?

Vietnam’s leading brewer SABECO cuts bottle cap thickness to reduce carbon emissions during transport. (Photo: SABECO)

Vietnam is tightening regulations on product and packaging recycling, requiring companies to either handle waste collection themselves or contribute to a recycling fund to comply with extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements.

Industries are responding with varied strategies. Leading beer producer SABECO is reducing the thickness of its aluminum can lids to cut material use and carbon emissions, while footwear giant Biti’s is phasing out plastic bags in favor of recycled paper packaging.

Brewer cuts can lid thickness to save material and carbon

Saigon Beer–Alcohol–Beverage Corporation (SABECO), which owns brands such as Bia Saigon and Bia 333, operates 25 breweries and 11 subsidiaries, with 200,000 retail points across Vietnam. Its sustainability journey began with a comprehensive overhaul of packaging.