At the moment, David Duong stands out as a distinguished Vietnamese American entrepreneur and sustainability chief, however his origins replicate extraordinary hardship. His journey represents a legacy of service and neighborhood contribution, resulting in the rebuilding of a multigenerational environmental enterprise throughout two nations via California Waste Options (CWS) and Vietnam Waste Options (VWS). The story of this work is now instructed via the characteristic documentary The King of Trash.
From Vietnam to Beginning Over in the US
After the autumn of Saigon in 1975, the Duong household fled Vietnam by boat, abandoning the biggest paper-recycling agency in South Vietnam. The corporate had been constructed by David’s father, Jim Thu Tai Duong, recognized throughout the area as “Vua Rác” — the King of Trash.
Resettled in San Francisco, the household shared a small residence with 17 family, surviving by gathering recyclables at evening. These early years solid the values that proceed to information the Duong household, together with the management of Kristina Duong, Victor Duong, and now Michael Duong, who represents the following technology of the household enterprise. All through these troublesome beginnings, Jim reminded his youngsters that there’s honor in each sort of trustworthy work.
Constructing California Waste Options and Increasing to Vietnam
With just one truck and $700 to their identify, the Duong household launched the CoGiDo Paper Company in 1983. Although they offered the corporate in 1989, the expertise offered David with the information he wanted to collect eight used vehicles and located California Waste Options (CWS) in 1992. Initially a small operation, David grew California Waste Options into one of many largest family-owned recycling firms in the US.
After establishing CWS Oakland and CWS San Jose, David turned his consideration again to Vietnam. Intent on giving again to the nation, he established Vietnam Waste Options (VWS) abroad. Via the corporate, he launched trendy recycling and waste administration know-how to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, together with the Da Phuoc Built-in Waste Administration Facility and the Lengthy An Inexperienced Environmental Expertise Park, two of the biggest environmental tasks in Southeast Asia.
At the moment, California Waste Options processes roughly 1,000 tons of recycling every week in Oakland and about 1,300 tons per week in San Jose. Vietnam Waste Options processes roughly 7,500 tons per day via its operations in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, anchored by the Da Phuoc Facility. With dedication and resilience, the household has gone from gathering bottles by hand to overseeing truck routes and robotically processing a whole lot of tons of recycling.
Preserving His Father’s Legacy Via Movie
For all his success, David has by no means forgotten his father’s sacrifice and management. His inspiration, subsequently, comes from his father’s instance, often known as “Vua Rác” in Vietnam, which interprets to “The King Of Trash.” His father taught David and his siblings that nothing needs to be wasted, particularly not one’s personal potential. To additional his household’s legacy and share these classes, David got down to seize their journey.
The King of Trash documentary is a characteristic movie by cinematographer Errol Webber that depicts the Duong household’s journey from Vietnam to success in America. It preserves the difficulties of their refugee escape, their willpower to rebuild in California, and their present management in waste administration. In the end, the movie displays their dedication to neighborhood and lasting integrity.
Persevering with a Household Legacy of Service
David, together with Kristina Duong and Victor Duong, continues to make a distinction each in the US and in Vietnam. As The King of Trash displays on their previous, it additionally factors towards a future formed by sustainability, integrity, neighborhood service, resilience, and management. The Duong household stays dedicated to advancing waste-management innovation via California Waste Options and Vietnam Waste Options, guided by the values their father instilled.
