Hidden plastic ‘grey zone’ in vibrant flower bouquets in Ho Chi Minh City

A field survey using near-infrared spectroscopy technology conducted by LoopNet Asia, a data-driven circular materials platform, at 185 flower shops in March found that bouquets are not just floral arrangements but multi-layered plastic systems that are difficult to decompose.

According to the report, each bouquet generates an average of 30–70 grams of plastic waste, including wrapping paper, ribbons, decorative bows, and floral foam, made up of at least 14 different types of polymer.

Polypropylene (PP) represents the largest share at 44.8 percent, mainly used in wrapping layers and structural components.

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G), widely used in ribbons, follows at around 24.1 percent.

Notably, hard-to-recycle or nearly non-recyclable plastics such as polyamide (PA), also known as nylon, and amorphous PET (PET-A) account for 7.5 percent, while environmentally friendly polylactic acid (PLA) makes up just 3.4 percent.

The survey also found that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) occupies about 2.8 percent, often used in kraft-style paper or brown flower baskets, underscoring the ‘grey zone’ nature of a hidden plastic composition that is not immediately visible to consumers but carries significant environmental risks.

PVC is particularly hazardous because, when burned in mixed waste streams, it can release dioxins and furans, which are highly toxic to human health.

Data from LoopNet.Asia show that Vietnam’s fresh flower market is expanding rapidly, rising from about VND45 trillion (US$1.7 billion) in 2023 to a projected VND75 trillion ($2.85 billion) by 2030.

Ho Chi Minh City accounts for 30–40 percent of the national urban flower consumption, with demand surging during annual peak occasions such as Valentine’s Day on February 14, International Women’s Day on March 8, and the Lunar New Year (Tet).

During the peak week of March 8 this year alone in Ho Chi Minh City, around 500,000 bouquets were sold, generating an estimated 15–35 metric tons of plastic waste within seven days.

However, the cost of managing this waste, including wrapping materials, plastic ribbons, and floral foam, is currently borne by the municipal waste collection system and public resources, which are not designed to handle such mixed and difficult-to-separate waste streams.

The report therefore highlights the need to apply Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a mechanism expected to help internalize environmental costs into product prices.

However, LoopNet.Asia experts said the flower industry’s fragmented supply chain, multiple intermediaries, and heavy reliance on imported accessories continue to pose challenges to the effective implementation of the mechanism.

They added that given incomplete policy frameworks on plastic waste control, the most feasible short-term solution lies within the market itself.

Large buyers such as corporations, hotels, and government agencies could help drive change by embedding contract conditions that require suppliers to replace non-biodegradable plastics with more environmentally friendly materials.

Tighter import controls are also needed to build a stronger data foundation, enabling taxes or EPR fees to be applied at source.

This approach mirrors the European Union’s model for managing plastic waste.

It is essential to clearly identify and classify hazardous materials in the medium term.

Substances containing microplastics and non-recyclable components, such as floral foam, should be classified as separate waste streams or hazardous waste under national technical regulations.

Experience from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom shows that establishing clear collection systems and phase-out roadmaps for such materials is feasible when it is supported by a well-defined policy framework.