IELTS Speaking – something you do to reduce waste in your daily life

Yes, I do my best. My flatmate and I keep separate bags for plastic bottles, cans and paper, and we sell them to a local scrap collector who comes by every week. It isn't a perfect system, because Hanoi doesn't have proper recycling bins everywhere, but at least it keeps some waste out of landfill.

Yes, I always carry a stainless steel water bottle in my backpack. Most cafés near my university will even fill it up for free. I'm less consistent with reusable bags, to be honest. I have a few folded up at home, but I often forget them, so I've started keeping one in my motorbike seat.

Probably more than I'd like to admit. Even though I avoid plastic bottles and bags, a lot of food in Vietnam comes wrapped in plastic, especially takeaway meals and street food. If I order a delivery, it often arrives with plastic boxes, cutlery and sauce containers. I'm trying to cut down by eating in more often.

Yes, a few. The biggest change is that I switched from riding a motorbike to cycling for short journeys, which cuts down on emissions and saves money. I've also become more careful about electricity, like turning off the air conditioner when I leave the room. They're small changes, but they've become second nature now.

Something I do to reduce waste is bringing my own lunch box and cutlery whenever I buy takeaway food, instead of accepting disposable plastic or polystyrene containers. I started doing this about a year and a half ago, after watching a documentary about plastic pollution in the ocean. There was one scene showing a beach in Vietnam covered in food containers and plastic bags, and it really shocked me, because I recognised exactly the kind of packaging I used every single day. That same week, I worked out that I was probably throwing away around ten plastic boxes a week just from lunches, so I decided to do something about it. Now I keep a stainless steel lunch box, a pair of chopsticks and a spoon in my backpack. When I buy rice or noodles from street vendors near my university, I simply hand them my box. At first, I felt a bit awkward, and a few sellers looked at me strangely. But most of them were actually very supportive, and one lady even gives me a little extra food because, as she puts it, I'm saving her money on packaging. I'd say it's mostly easy now, but there are still challenges. Sometimes I forget my box, or I'm in a hurry and it's simply more convenient to accept the plastic. Washing the box in the evening can also be a bit of a chore when I'm tired. I believe it makes a difference for a couple of reasons. On a personal level, I've avoided hundreds of plastic containers that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. More importantly, though, it's had a ripple effect. Several of my classmates noticed what I was doing and started bringing their own boxes too, so the impact is gradually spreading.

I'd say governments bear the main responsibility, although individuals still have an important role. Governments have the power to make changes on a scale that individuals simply can't, for example by investing in renewable energy, setting emission standards for factories or improving public transport. Without those systems in place, it's very hard for ordinary people to live sustainably, however much they want to. That said, governments in democratic countries often respond to public pressure, and consumer choices can push companies to change. So individuals matter, not just through their own habits, but through what they demand from leaders.

I think it's mainly because habits are automatic, so changing them requires constant effort and attention, at least at first. Convenience is another big obstacle. Using a plastic bag or driving a short distance is simply easier than the alternative, especially when people are busy or tired. There's also the feeling that one person's actions won't make any real difference, which can be quite demotivating. And sometimes the benefits of changing are long-term and invisible, while the costs are immediate. That's why I think making green choices cheaper and easier is more effective than simply telling people what they should do.

Yes, I think regulation is necessary, because voluntary efforts haven't gone far enough. A lot of packaging is completely unnecessary, like fruit wrapped in plastic or small items in huge boxes, and it creates enormous amounts of waste. If governments set clear limits, or made companies pay for recycling the packaging they produce, businesses would quickly find more efficient solutions. Some European countries already do this. Of course, packaging does serve a purpose, such as keeping food safe and reducing spoilage, so the rules need to be sensible. But overall, I believe the responsibility should lie with producers rather than consumers.

In terms of direct impact, large-scale policies are undoubtedly far more effective. A single law banning single-use plastics, for example, can prevent billions of items from being produced, whereas one person refusing plastic bags makes only a tiny difference. However, I don't think personal actions are pointless. When enough people change their behaviour, it creates social norms and shows politicians that there's public support for stronger policies. In that sense, individual actions can pave the way for bigger changes. So I'd see them as complementary rather than competing approaches.