Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam has officially launched the “Trash Right 2026” program, with a kick-off ceremony held in Binh Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. The event marks the first phase of the program’s 2026 rollout, with the goal of expanding to 10 primary schools and reaching more than 12,000 students across the city. The launch was attended by representatives from the Binh Hoa Ward People’s Committee, school leadership, and students in the area.

“Trash Right” is a regional environmental education initiative led by Mondelēz International across Southeast Asia, aimed at scaling school-based waste sorting education. Through interactive activities and hands-on learning, the program seeks to nurture the right awareness and sustainable waste management habits among students. Since 2022, the initiative has been implemented in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, reaching tens of thousands of students across more than 140 schools and helping collect tens of tons of plastic waste for recycling.

This year in Vietnam, the program has kicked off at two primary schools in Binh Hoa Ward – Binh Hoa Primary School and Binh Hoa 2 Primary School – reaching nearly 4,000 students. The program delivers both educational content and hands-on experiences. Students from more than 65 classes at both schools will participate in over 250 “Green Lessons” – interactive sessions designed to build knowledge on waste sorting and recycling. Teachers are also equipped with instructional handbooks to facilitate these lessons and encourage students to practice waste collection, sorting, and recycling throughout the program. In addition, “Green Stations” have been installed on school premises to serve as daily waste sorting points.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lien, Corporate & Government Affairs Director, Mondelez Kinh Do Vietnam, shared: “With our mission to lead the future of snacking, Mondelez Kinh Do is committed to driving sustainable growth by creating positive impact for the communities where we operate. Through the Trash Right initiative, we aim to foster strong collaboration among schools, families, and the broader community to enhance waste management awareness among younger generations. Beyond that, this initiative also seeks to inspire meaningful shifts in students’ behaviors and lifestyles, creating a ripple effect that drives lasting, positive change across society.”

Beside the educational activities, the program is also rolling out a series of initiatives including a “Trash Right Challenge” for waste collection and sorting, recycling workshops, and waste-for-rewards events – all designed to reinforce knowledge and motivate students to take action. Alongside this, the “Green Ambassador” model serves as a strategic pillar of the program. This network of selected and trained student leaders acts as catalysts for change, championing green practices and amplifying sustainability messages among their peers, families, and the broader community.

Mr. Nguyen Tu Hai, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Binh Hoa Ward People’s Committee, shared: “We highly appreciate the program’s action-oriented approach, which goes beyond raising awareness by empowering students to take direct action and build sustainable habits from an early age. This creates a strong foundation for positive behaviors to extend to families and the wider community. With this direction, we believe the program will make a meaningful contribution to building Binh Hoa Ward a greener and cleaner community.”

All waste sorted at schools will be directed into appropriate recycling and recovery streams: recyclable plastic waste will be transferred to recycling partners, while organic waste will be sent to the Green Hero project to be processed into organic fertilizer.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hien, Vice Principal of Binh Hoa Primary School, shared: “For the school, environmental awareness education is an important part of helping students build habits, life skills, and a sense of responsibility toward the environment. We are delighted that Trash Right 2026 gives students the opportunity to learn through fun activities and real-life experiences. The enthusiasm and initiative shown by the students reflect the positive impact the program is already creating.”

Following the kick-off phase in Binh Hoa Ward, the program is expected to continue expanding to additional primary schools across Ho Chi Minh City throughout 2026, scaling up to 10 schools and more than 12,000 students, with a target of collecting and sorting between 6,000 – 8,000 kg of waste – delivering tangible environmental impact alongside community education.