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Ha Long Bay introducing tour boat plastic ban
A pilot project will roll out in Ha Long Bay to help rid the UNESCO heritage site of plastic pollution.
The bay’s popularity has led to mountains of coastal and offshore garbage and now the cruise industry is banning the use of some plastic products on sightseeing boats, starting August 1.
The management board of Ha Long Bay said 15 tourist boat opeartors, kayaks and high-speed boats will remove plastic water bottles and replace them with refillable dispensers.
They will supply drinking glasses made of environmentally friendly materials, while wet paper towels will be replaced with reusable cloth towels.
"This pilot project will make a start with local tour service providers which offer daily tour services and are the main source of waste pollution, "said Pham Dinh Huynh, deputy head of the management board.
"More tour providers and other industrial sectors will need to make big changes as well."
Huynh said operators are being encouraged to fit waste treatment systems on their boats.
Officials say about 70% of garbage collected from Coc Cheo and Ang Du beaches was Styrofoam, plastic bags, bottles, and food packaging.
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