The Hidden Cost of Plastic Recycling: Health and Environmental Concerns in Vietnam's Craft Villages

Dec 16, 2025 03:41 pm CST

Inside Vietnam's unregulated craft recycling villages, workers face a stark paradox: while providing essential income and helping manage the country's 1.8 million tonnes of annual plastic waste, these operations expose communities to severe health risks from toxic chemicals including lead and dioxins. Despite economic benefits that have transformed farming communities into prosperous villages, residents report high cancer rates and significantly reduced life expectancy, highlighting the urgent need for formalized, environmentally sound recycling practices.