Spreading workers’ awareness of environmental protection

Amid growing concern over environmental protection, many businesses in Dong Nai have worked with grassroots trade unions to implement solutions to raise workers' environmental awareness at the workplace.

Workers at Pou Chen Vietnam Enterprise Ltd. participate in the Fashion Design from Recycled Materials Contest. Photo: Thao My

One recent, practical, and creative activity is the Fashion Design from Recycled Materials Contest, where workers contribute unique ideas to help spread the “green living” message.

Unique outfits made from recycled materials

Every year, the Grassroots Trade Union of Dona Pacific (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. (Song May Industrial Park, Binh Minh commune) organizes the Fashion Design from Recycled Materials Contest for its workers. At the contest, workers bring many unique creative ideas using recycled materials to create “fashion products,” showcasing their ingenuity, team spirit, and passion for creativity. Notable entries include fashion collections featuring Ao Dai (traditional long tunic dress), wedding dresses, and ethnic costumes.

Dang Thi Thom, Chairwoman of the Grassroots Trade Union at Dona Pacific (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., said that activities such as designing outfits from recycled materials provide workers with a healthy outlet after stressful working hours. At the same time, the activities help spread the green living message, encouraging employees across the company to reduce waste and use resources sustainably.

“During the event held in early 2026, the Trade Union awarded 36 prizes to workers participating in the contest. Through this, we encourage employees to reuse excess materials, minimize waste, and save costs and resources for the company,” Thom shared.

In March, the Grassroots Trade Union of Pou Chen Vietnam Enterprise Ltd.  (Bien Hoa Ward) organized the Fashion Design from Recycled Materials Contest for its workers, attracting 16 teams and resulting in many impressive outfits. A special feature is that all the outfits were designed from recycled materials, including fabric, paper, old newspapers, and nylon, creating a clever combination of aesthetics and the message of environmental protection. Many outfits were inspired by nature and the production process, emphasizing the importance of reducing plastic waste and reusing materials.

The activities to raise environmental awareness among workers continue to affirm the role of trade unions and businesses in building a humane and cohesive working environment where employees are always cared for, supported, and treated with respect. It also serves as a playground for workers to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity through unique products made from recycled materials.

Nguyen Thi Hong Thi, a worker at Pou Chen Vietnam Enterprise Ltd., said that taking part in the fashion design contest using recycled materials was a new and meaningful experience for her. Workers are accustomed only to their daily production work and have few opportunities to express their creativity. Thanks to the contest, workers have had the chance to use materials that would otherwise have been discarded to create unique outfits, which is both economical and environmentally friendly.

Environmental protection at the production site

To encourage workers to protect the environment, grassroots trade unions have renewed the content and formats of contests and movements, attracting enthusiastic participation from workers from many production workshops. With skillful hands and creative minds, workers have “breathed life” into materials once considered waste, creating impressive, highly practical products and outfits.

In addition, the contest brings laughter and excitement to workers and, above all, fosters a spirit of creativity and responsibility toward the workplace environment. Nguyen Tan Phap, Chairman of the Grassroots Trade Union at Pou Chen Vietnam Enterprise Ltd., said that the Trade Union's contests are intended to encourage workers to uphold their sense of responsibility and environmental awareness, as reflected in each product. Most workers skillfully incorporate messages such as "Say no to plastic waste," "Recycle today, protect tomorrow," or "Live green from the smallest things," etc. These messages do not remain only on the stage but also spread to every worker, helping form sustainable habits.

Le Thi Ha, a worker at Dona Pacific (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., said that what makes her happiest when participating in the recycled-material fashion design contest or Christmas tree decoration activities is working with colleagues, including brainstorming ideas, sewing, and completing the products. Through this, everyone understands each other better and becomes more connected. Ha confided, “I hope there will be more meaningful playgrounds so that workers can not only work well but also develop their creativity and raise their awareness of environmental protection.”

Through contests organized by businesses and trade unions, workers affirm their role in protecting the environment. From simple actions like sorting waste and reusing items to limiting the use of single-use plastics, all contribute to creating positive change. At the same time, this is an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their social responsibility by building a green, clean, and beautiful working environment and pursuing sustainable development.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho