The initiative by the Dalat Farmers' Association has been implemented since 2022. The association vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh said that the gift exchange day is held on the last Thursday of every month. People can bring empty pesticide packaging boxes or containers to exchange for some items including protective gloves and boots, masks, flashlights, and raincoats, among others.

A farmer, Huynh Thi Hong, brought seven kilos of the waste to a point in Ward 12 to exchange for a pair of protective gloves on September 26.

Hong said that she has 0.6 hectares of vegetables and often has to use different kinds of pesticides.

"I've been gathering the abandoned packaging for over a year now following instructions from local authorities to protect the environment," Hong said. "More farmers have realised the harmful effects from dumping these containers and support the initiative."

"We've received support and participation from thousands of local farmers," Anh said. "With this programme we've collected some 100 tonnes of abandoned pesticide packaging boxes or containers so far and they have all been sent to a local waste treatment plant."