Vietnamese Supermarkets Replace Plastic Packaging With Banana Leaves

Several supermarket chains in Vietnam began replacing plastic packaging with banana leaves in 2019 as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste, according to reports from Vietnamese and international media.

Fernanda Butron

Major retailers involved included Lotte Mart, Saigon Co.op, and Big C.

The initiative was first reported in April 2019, when supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi started wrapping vegetables such as scallions, okra, and herbs in banana leaves instead of plastic bags or plastic film.

According to Vietnamese state media, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc publicly praised the supermarkets for adopting natural wrapping materials and called on businesses, restaurants, and hotels to reduce plastic waste and encourage environmentally friendly products.

Reports stated that the move was introduced as part of broader efforts by retailers to increase the use of alternative packaging materials. Some stores also introduced paper straws, biodegradable bags made from corn powder, and paper egg cartons.

Saigon Co.op said it planned to gradually replace biodegradable plastic wraps with banana leaves across parts of its supermarket and convenience store network.

At Lotte Mart stores in Ho Chi Minh City, representatives said the banana-leaf wrapping system was initially being tested in selected outlets, with plans to expand the practice nationwide following trial periods.

Vietnam generated about 2,500 metric tons of plastic waste per day at the time, according to figures cited by multiple reports. The United Nations Environment Programme also ranked Vietnam among the countries contributing the highest amounts of plastic waste entering oceans.