17 November 2024
by Thao Vu, Thy Tran, Duong Hoang, & Thy Tran
Sustainability starts with us and continues with you. RMIT Sustainability Ambassadors from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam take the self-initiative with circular economy practices so others can continue and amplify.
Ms. Phường’s enthusiasm for spotting paper cups is no stranger to her ambassadors.
Every semester, we would have Sustainability 101 training — on the burning topics we need to know about sustainability. Most of the ambassadors would bring in tea or coffee. But for sure, at least one would bring in a paper cup.
Almost always, Ms. Phường would start the training with a witty remark, “Forgot your bottle, bé? Hey, no shame, we forget sometimes.” To which we laughed but were quickly intrigued by her addition.
“This cup has a bigger cost than you think.”
And as the training began, it clicked for us: the choices we make are where real changes begin.
Having worked for more than 5 years in waste and wastewater management, Ms. Phường has been a know-it-all about the environment and we were awestruck by her calm demeanour yet charismatic leadership.
Having led workshops and sustainable initiatives throughout her career path, her vast knowledge and strong passion for connecting her work and the community leaves a lasting impact, just like the work she did here at RMIT University Vietnam.
As the afternoon rolled on calmly, we sat with her and followed her back to when she first discovered the word “sustainability” and giggled altogether because of her childlike curiosity.
“When we think of sustainability, we often think of something too large or abstract about the environment and technology”, said Ms. Phường while reaching out for my used paper cup on the table.
“But what if the most important part of the solution is you?”
The Manager at RMIT Sustainability Vietnam always believed in the power of the “u”, and the “us” in “Sustainability”.
Sustainability starts with us and continues with you — that’s what we, as RMIT Sustainability Ambassadors, do. We start so others can amplify.
Sustainable development means meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations (Parodi et al., 2023). It’s not just about waste and trees, or plastic cups or machines. Ms. Phường took years to realise that, all along, the sustainability core were us humans, along with our values and behaviour. And so, RMIT Sustainability was founded to create a community that acts sustainably through continuous self-awareness and personal development.
We often see sustainability as an environmental issue, but what if it’s also a mental health solution?
We talk about environmental damage and protection, but we often overlook how these issues affect our emotions, thoughts, and mental well-being (Parodi et al., 2023). RMIT Sustainability’s approach connects sustainability and personal growth for proactive behaviours. Though it’s not a very new concept, it isn’t widely implemented, and it allows her to take on a relatable approach that sets RMIT Sustainability apart from other sustainability organisations in Ho Chi Minh City. We are a community built on a Sustainable Core with 4 values: Growth Mindset, Continuous Improvement, Integrity, and Harmony — a culture where students don’t just learn about sustainability – they experience it.
To be open-minded was the roar of our talk with Ms. Phuong and our time in RMIT Sustainability. We look at new challenges, new perspectives, and “bé” (say it like a sheep’s “beeh” but hike the word up, like a question). To say “bé” is a fun and cute way that people in the Southern parts of Vietnam use to address youth.
It’s more about understanding a person’s psyche, that “feel good” factor when you achieve something for yourself and the community.
At RMIT Sustainability, circular economy isn’t just reducing waste and planting trees. After discussing with Ms. Phường, we knew the drive for sustainability comes from personal empowerment.
In an RMIT Sustainability Ambassador’s small survey of 13 respondents, more than 50% of young people reported sadness, anxiety, and powerlessness when thinking about climate change, which can disrupt their daily lives (Hickman et al., 2021). Additionally, 84.6% of respondents agreed that social problems relate to environmental factors and consequently, 76.9% of them asserted they must act to improve.
The circular economy isn’t just a concept – it’s a daily practice, and that’s where the challenge comes in.
“What keeps them hooked?” said Ms. Phường. “That’s the hardest thing. I have been questioning myself how to motivate people to practice and sustain sustainable habits.”
“Getting them to do it on the first try is easier than keeping them engaged. A lot of it takes discipline. But one way is to make it about them, make a community out of sustainable enthusiasts. Humans are highly social beings. So, a community will help them pick up a habit so fast that they might not realise.”
University students today are leaders in shaping a sustainable future, according to Ms. Phường. Established only one year ago, the RMIT Sustainability Ambassadors program has already attracted over 30 ambassadors and mobilised hundreds of volunteers. RMIT Sustainability Ambassadors have spread an environmentally conscious mindset in the RMIT community. They aren’t just learning about sustainability – they’re leading the charge, inspiring real change on campus and beyond.
Ms. Phường found 5 projects to encourage students and staff alike to take back control by replacing their eco-anxiety with the empowerment of running projects. By participating, students will observe that their contributions nurture the planet and well-being.
We’ve implemented a Zero Waste Campus to satisfy the circular economy principle of reducing waste and pollution and align with RMIT’s mission to eliminate landfills by 2030 (RMIT University, 2019). This initiative transforms waste into valuable resources by focusing on recycling, reusing, and reducing waste across campus. We remembered clearly how flustered we were when Ms. Phường deemed trash to be a resource until we saw the impressive prizes repurposed from clean plastic that was collected from the bin collections on campus.
Through initiatives like the Green Point program, students and staff are rewarded for their good sustainable behaviour through points accumulation. These points can be redeemed for eco-friendly products made from recycled materials, such as clean plastic and coffee grounds. This program isn’t just a waste reduction effort but also a catalyst for changing student behaviour and mindsets and for new economies to develop, contributing to curricular economies and circular cities.
To regenerate nature, Aloe Garden repurposed unused campus spaces into vibrant, sustainable green areas. These initiatives do more than reduce waste—they weave sustainability into students’ daily lives, fostering a sense of achievement and enhancing overall well-being.
It’s not just about reducing waste, it’s about you and your choices that make the world more sustainable.
We ended the interview on a peaceful note, learning and laughing a lot. Ms. Phường was a friend who helped us understand a more human perspective in conducting activities related to sustainable development.
It isn’t just about what’s happening at RMIT Sustainability—it’s about what you can do. Whether you’re on campus or reading this from anywhere in the world, you have the power to be part of the change. Start small by recycling, reducing waste, or advocating for circular economy principles in your community. No matter how small, every action contributes to a larger, lasting impact.
“Sustainability has “u” and “us”. Every action, whether big or small, counts”, said Ms. Phường.
Helbich M. (2018). Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(10), 2207. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102207
Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & Van Susteren, L. (2021). Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), e863-e873.
Parodi, O., Wamsler, C., & Dusseldorp, M. (2023). Personal sustainability. Handbook transdisciplinary learning. Transcript Verlag, Bielefeld, 277-286.
RMIT University. (2019). Designing out waste. RMIT University website. https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2019/sep/city-challenge
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