01/06/2026
🌱 Four Floating Wetland Models Deployed in Can Tho for Water Quality Research
In early May, four floating wetland models developed through the From Waste To Wetlands programme were successfully deployed in Can Tho City, Vietnam.
The research aims to evaluate:
💧 The effectiveness of floating wetlands in supporting water quality improvement in urban canals
♻️ The application of recycled plastic waste as a sustainable material for floating wetland platforms
🌿 The potential of nature-based solutions for ecosystem restoration in the Mekong Delta
The study is being conducted by the Environmental Science Research Team at Can Tho University, under the supervision of Dr. Ngo Thuy Diem Trang.
Field preparation activities included:
• Removing water hyacinths from the research area
• Installing containment barriers to prevent re-infestation
• Deploying floating wetland systems planted with native species, including:
🌿Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella Sedge)
🌿Echinodorus cordifolius (Creeping Burhead)
🌿Canna generalis (Canna Lily)
Over the coming months, the team will monitor plant growth, platform performance, and water quality indicators to assess the environmental benefits and scalability of this approach.
The project demonstrates how plastic waste recovered from waterways can be transformed into practical infrastructure that supports ecological restoration and sustainable water management.
The From Waste To Wetlands programme is implemented by the Recycled Island Foundation – CLEAR RIVERS, with sponsorship from the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).