Green Dong Nai: Gen Z promotes green living through action

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, while many young people spend their weekends resting and relaxing, in many streets and along canals and ditches in various wards and communes of Dong Nai province, there are still Gen Z youths wearing protective clothing and rolling up their pants to collect waste in the murky water.

They are members of the Dong Nai Green Community Group, where young people are quietly writing a green living story through concrete and persistent actions.

A waste collection campaign by the Dong Nai Green Community Group. Photo: Thuy Tien

The Gen Z spirit in every campaign

Established in June 2022, the Dong Nai Green Community Group operates with the goal of environmental protection, raising public awareness, and mobilizing the community to join hands in preserving a green, clean, and beautiful landscape. To date, the group comprises approximately 50 core members and over 450 volunteers, primarily students and young professionals.

Young people are collecting pieces of trash from the ditch. Photo: Thuy Tien

A noticeable trait among Gen Z participants in the Dong Nai Green Community Group is their proactive and enthusiastic spirit, as well as their willingness to overcome challenges. Whether it's cleaning up trash on the streets or wading directly into murky water to remove accumulated garbage, they are always ready to participate.

Mai Van Nam, leader of the Dong Nai Green Community Group, shared: “Gen Z brings a very positive energy. Despite unfavorable weather conditions or challenging terrain, they enthusiastically participate. In particular, they effectively utilize social media to spread the spirit of green living to the community through real-life stories, images, and videos.”

The Dong Nai Green Community Group attracts a large number of students and young people to participate in its activities. Photo: Thuy Tien

Joining the Dong Nai Green Community Group as a media collaborator, Nguyen Hoang Gia (20 years old, a student at Lac Hong University) gradually became involved in the group's activities. For Hoang Gia, each campaign is not only an experience but also a lesson about the responsibility of young people towards the environment.

“There were times when the group had to clean up trash in dangerous areas, even coming across plastic bottles containing used syringes. We were both scared and anxious, but everyone handled them carefully to avoid posing a risk to ourselves and those around us. After each cleanup, seeing the area become cleaner and more beautiful, I felt thrilled and more motivated to continue working with the group,” Hoang Gia shared.

Gen Z in Dong Nai wades into canals to collect trash, spreading the spirit of green living. Photo: Thuy Tien

Having joined the Dong Nai Green Community Group as a volunteer from its very first campaigns, Dang Minh Hieu (19 years old, a student at Lac Hong University) vividly remembers a mobilization event during a heavy rainstorm.

“The water rose, and the trash was flowing very strongly. People stood in a line to block the trash. That spirit touched me and gave me more motivation to participate in more meaningful campaigns. From small things, if done regularly, they can create big changes,” Minh Hieu expressed.

Gen Z Dang Minh Hieu shows no hesitation to wade through pitch-black water to collect trash. Photo: Thuy Tien

From green campaigns to changing perceptions

Throughout its operations, the Dong Nai Green Community Group has carried out numerous meaningful campaigns, including "Clean Up the World," "Make the World Cleaner," "Earth Day," and "Green Sunday," which have involved launching cleanup drives. These efforts extend beyond collecting trash and clearing waterways; they also focus on promoting awareness about reducing plastic waste, exchanging batteries and recyclable materials, and encouraging a green and sustainable lifestyle within the community.

Gen Z in Dong Nai responds to the "Make the World Cleaner" campaign. Photo courtesy of the subject

Having been involved with the Dong Nai Green Community Group for many years, Thung Thi Nhu Y (23 years old, residing in Tran Bien ward) said: “When they see young people cleaning up trash, many elderly people bring water and food to encourage them, and then join in picking up trash. Those moments make me very happy, because I not only clean up trash but also contribute to changing awareness and spreading environmental protection awareness in the community.”

Residents in the locality join forces with members of the Dong Nai Green Community Group to collect trash and improve the living environment. Photo: Thuy Tien

The group's efforts have garnered positive feedback from residents in the local area. Tran Trung Dang (a resident of Long Binh ward) said: "Previously, this section of Dieu Xien Road was full of garbage and smelled terrible. Since the young people came to clean it up, the area is much cleaner. Seeing how hard they work, the surrounding residents have become more aware and no longer litter indiscriminately."

Waste is bagged and neatly collected after the cleanup campaign. Photo courtesy of the subject

From enthusiastic yet straightforward campaigns, the green living spirit of Gen Z in Dong Nai is spreading daily. It's a message about a young generation living responsibly, starting with small but persistent actions, contributing to making the living environment greener, cleaner, and more beautiful.

By Thuy Tien – Translated by Quoc Dung, Minho