Resources are being used at an incredible rate, meaning there may be nothing left for the future generation. To reverse this flow, almost all countries have decided to prioritize recycling, which essentially means turning used products into other usable tools or materials. However, it is usually different from one country to another, such as between Vietnam and Australia. This essay will consider the similarities and differences between the two, focusing on plastic bag recycling, scrap metal, and recycling infrastructure. Firstly, recycling of plastic products, especially plastic bags, has been an urgent issue for years and is one of the main differences between Vietnam and Australia. Despite being the most common form of waste, accounting for 30% of waste collected in 10 years, the damage plastic products cause to the environment is extremely serious (Clean Up Australia Ltd, 2009). Not only cannot they be replaced once used up due to their non-renewable nature, plastic products also severely threaten marine life. Research has shown that approximately 46,000 pieces of plastic can be found in 1 square mile of ocean, so they are extremely dangerous to thousands of underwater creatures (ibid). Both Vietnam and Australia benefit enormously from the sea, so this issue needs to be taken even more seriously. In Australia, almost everyone has taken it upon themselves to reduce the use of plastic products, especially plastic bags. From a small village in the Kangaroo Valley that completely banned the use of plastic bags, to the 'free calico bags' policy introduced by Hunters Hill Council, everyone has contributed to a better, plastic bag-free world... middle of paper ......g Information sheet. [Online]. Available: www.cleanup.org.au/PDF/au/cua_plastic_recycling_fact_sheet.pdfCreer,K. (2003, November 2). Villagers ban plastic bags. The Sunday Telegraph, p.19.Nguyen, TC. (2010, September 22). No fun in the sun for Nha Trang waste collectors. Dtinews. [Online]. Available: http://www1.dtinews.vn/news/news/vietnam/no-fun-in-the-sun-for-nha-trangs-trash-workers_4869.htmlPlastic bags are a huge environmental problem. (2010, March 18). Dtinews. [Online].Available: http://www1.dtinews.vn/news/environment/plastic-bags-a-huge-environmental-problem_1828.htmlSexton, K. (2003, August 3). The Municipality issues free calico bags. The Sunday Telegraph, p.21. United Nations Environment Programme. (2004). State of waste management in Southeast Asia. [Online]. Available: http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/spc/state_of_waste_management/6.asp