David Duong: The Refugee-Turned-Industry Leader Reshaping Waste Management Across Two Continents

David Duong

 

In the global conversation on sustainability, few names illustrate the intersection of resilience, innovation, and environmental leadership as compellingly as David Duong, the Vietnamese-American CEO transforming waste-management systems in both the United States and Vietnam. From fleeing Saigon as a young refugee to building one of Northern California’s leading recycling companies, Duong’s journey is widely regarded as a case study in how adversity, when paired with vision, can evolve into groundbreaking enterprise.

Born Dương Tử Trung in South Vietnam, Duong’s early years were mark
ed by upheaval. His family, once respected within the local paper-recycling trade, was forced to escape the country after the fall of Saigon. Their resettlement in San Francisco began with street-level work—collecting cardboard, sorting bottles, and selling discarded paper to make ends meet. Yet those humble beginnings introduced Duong to an industry where he would one day become a defining figure.

Today, Duong is best known as the founder and chief executive of California Waste Solutions (CWS), a major player in the U.S. recycling landscape. Established in 1992, the company has secured long-term contracts with Oakland, San Jose, and other major cities, managing thousands of tons of recyclable material every day. Under Duong’s leadership, CWS has grown from a small family operation into a sophisticated environmental-services provider with advanced material-recovery facilities, automated sorting systems, and hundreds of employees who service millions of residents across Northern California.

But Duong’s ambitions have always extended beyond American borders. In 2005, recognizing Vietnam’s emerging need for modern waste infrastructure, he founded Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS)—a landmark investment that introduced U.S. environmental technology to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing nations. The company’s flagship project, the Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility in Ho Chi Minh City, remains one of Vietnam’s largest private environmental projects. It combines recycling, composting, landfill management, and renewable-energy research within a single multi-hectare complex that has reshaped conversations around urban sustainability in the country.

VWS continues to expand its portfolio, including a next-generation waste-to-energy project in Long An Province, which aims to convert modern waste-processing techniques into clean power—an essential component of Vietnam’s greener future. Through these ventures, Duong has positioned himself not just as a businessman, but as a pivotal voice in Vietnam’s transition toward sustainable infrastructure.

Beyond his corporate roles, Duong chairs the Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA), a U.S.-based nonprofit representing more than 2,000 entrepreneurs across 12 states and multiple countries. The organization promotes trade, investment, professional mentorship, and cross-border economic partnerships. Under his leadership, VABA has become an influential platform shaping diaspora engagement and startup development, particularly through its annual business forums and Pitch Perfect innovation competitions.

Despite his business success, philanthropy remains central to Duong’s public identity. His charitable work is extensive, covering education scholarships, disaster-relief campaigns, and humanitarian aid programs benefiting underserved communities in both the United States and Vietnam. Through CWS and VWS, he has funded environmental-education initiatives aimed at instilling recycling awareness in younger generations. His family foundation also supports hospitals, schools, and immigrant-focused programs that reflect his own journey as a newcomer to the American dream.

Duong’s story has gained international attention, especially following the release of the 2024 documentary “The King of Trash”—a film that traces his rise from refugee to environmental-industry titan. Directed by Errol Webber, the documentary portrays Duong as a bridge between two worlds, committed to promoting sustainability while strengthening economic ties between the Vietnamese diaspora and their homeland.

For many observers, Duong’s influence lies not only in the scale of his businesses but in the narrative he represents: resilience in the face of displacement, innovation born from hardship, and the belief that environmental responsibility can coexist with economic progress. His work continues to shape policy conversations in cities across California and development discussions in Vietnam, positioning him among the most consequential figures in the international recycling and waste-management sector.

As global cities grapple with rising waste volumes, climate pressures, and sustainability mandates, David Duong’s model—integrating advanced technology, private investment, and community outreach—stands out as a blueprint for modern waste-management systems. Whether in Oakland or Ho Chi Minh City, his vision offers a compelling reminder that the path to sustainable urban living depends not just on infrastructure, but on the people determined to build it.