Draft:David Dương
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Henryvoba (talk) 01:31, 11 November 2025 (UTC)
David Duong | |
|---|---|
| Dương Tử Trung | |
| Born | Saigon, South Vietnam |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Environmental innovation, recycling industry leadership |
| Title | Founder and CEO, California Waste Solutions (CWS)
Chairman, Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) Chairman, Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA) |
David Duong (born Dương Tử Trung) is a Vietnamese-American entrepreneur, environmental industry leader, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chief executive officer of California Waste Solutions (CWS), one of Northern California’s largest recycling companies, and the chairman of Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), which developed the Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility in Ho Chi Minh City. Duong also serves as chairman of the Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization promoting entrepreneurship and U.S.–Vietnam economic cooperation.
Early life and education
[edit]Duong was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, into a family involved in paper manufacturing and recycling. Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, his family fled Vietnam among the “boat people” and resettled in San Francisco, California. To survive, they collected and resold cardboard and bottles—an experience that shaped Duong’s future career in recycling and environmental services.
Career
[edit]California Waste Solutions (CWS)
[edit]In 1992, Duong founded California Waste Solutions in Oakland, California. Under his leadership, the company expanded to handle municipal recycling contracts for Oakland, San Jose, and Long Beach. CWS operates large materials-recovery facilities that process thousands of tons of recyclables daily and employs several hundred workers across the Bay Area.[1]
Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS)
[edit]Seeking to introduce U.S. environmental technology to Vietnam, Duong founded Vietnam Waste Solutions in 2005. The company built and operates the Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility, the first large-scale privately financed waste-treatment complex in Vietnam. VWS integrates recycling, composting, landfill management, and energy-recovery systems.[2] The company later announced plans for a waste-to-energy facility in Long An Province to further support Vietnam’s sustainability goals.[3]
Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA)
[edit]Duong chairs the Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA), a nonprofit network with more than 2,000 members across 12 states and 8 countries. VABA supports business development, advocacy, and cross-border investment between the United States and Vietnam, organizing annual conferences and the *Pitch Perfect* startup competition.[4]
Philanthropy and community involvement
[edit]Duong and his family support educational scholarships, disaster-relief initiatives, and community programs in both Vietnam and the United States. Through CWS and VWS, he has funded environmental-education projects and humanitarian aid for immigrant and low-income communities.[5]
Recognition
[edit]Duong has received commendations from the cities of Oakland and San Jose for advancing sustainability and local job creation. In Vietnam, he has been recognized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for contributions to waste-management modernization. His life and career are featured in the 2024 documentary film The King of Trash, directed by Errol Webber, which chronicles his journey from refugee to environmental entrepreneur.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Duong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family and travels frequently to Vietnam for business and philanthropic work. He continues to promote environmental awareness and closer ties between the Vietnamese diaspora and Vietnam.
See also
[edit]- California Waste Solutions
- Vietnam Waste Solutions
- Vietnamese American Business Association
- The King of Trash
References
[edit]- ^ "From Refugee to Recycler: The Story of David Duong". San Jose Mercury News. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "David Duong, CEO of CWS and VWS: Giving Back to the Motherland". Vietnam Investment Review. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "US-invested firm prepares $700 million for waste treatment plant in southern Vietnam". The Investor Vietnam. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "About the Vietnamese American Business Association". VABA. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "David Duong, CEO of CWS and VWS: Giving Back to the Motherland". Vietnam Investment Review. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "'The King of Trash' Brings Refugee Story and Environmental Leadership to the Screen". Variety. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
Cite error: A list-defined reference has no name (see the help page).
Category:Vietnamese-American businesspeople Category:American chief executives Category:Recycling industry Category:Environmental businesspeople Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Oakland, California Category:Vietnamese refugees Category:American people of Vietnamese descent
References
[edit]References
[edit]Cite error: A list-defined reference has no name (see the help page).
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