David Dương

{{Short description|Vietnamese-American entrepreneur and waste management executive}} {{Infobox person | name = David Dương | image = | birth_name = Dương Tử Trung | birth_place = Saigon, South Vietnam | nationality = American | occupation = Businessman; Environmental industry executive | known_for = Founder and CEO of California Waste Solutions; Chairman of Vietnam Waste Solutions | website = }} '''David Dương''' (born '''Dương Tử Trung''') is a Vietnamese-American entrepreneur, environmental industry executive, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chief executive officer of '''California Waste Solutions''' (CWS), one of Northern California’s largest recycling and materials-recovery companies, and the chairman of '''Vietnam Waste Solutions''' (VWS), the developer of the Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Dương also serves as chairman of the '''Vietnamese American Business Association''' (VABA), a nonprofit organization promoting U.S.–Vietnam business cooperation and entrepreneurship.About the Vietnamese American Business Association. VABA. Retrieved 2025-11-10. == Early life and education == Dương was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, into a family involved in paper manufacturing and recycling. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, his family fled the country as part of the wave of Vietnamese “boat people” refugees and resettled in San Francisco, California. In the United States, the family collected paper, cardboard, bottles, and other recyclables for resale. This early exposure to resource recovery later influenced Dương’s career in the environmental services and waste-management sectors."From Refugee to Recycler: The Story of David Duong". ''San Jose Mercury News''. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2025-11-10. == Career == === California Waste Solutions (CWS) === In 1992, Dương founded '''California Waste Solutions''' in Oakland, California. Beginning as a small recycling operation, CWS expanded to secure municipal recycling contracts in major California cities, including Oakland, San Jose, and Long Beach. The company operates multiple materials-recovery facilities (MRFs) that collectively process thousands of tons of recyclables per day and employ several hundred workers across the Bay Area."David Duong, CEO of CWS and VWS: Giving Back to the Motherland". ''Vietnam Investment Review''. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 2025-11-10. === Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) === In 2005, Dương established '''Vietnam Waste Solutions''' to introduce U.S.-based environmental technologies into Vietnam’s expanding urban infrastructure. VWS developed the **Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility**, the first large-scale privately financed waste-treatment complex in Vietnam. The project incorporates landfill engineering, recycling, composting, leachate treatment, and energy-recovery systems. In 2023, VWS announced plans for a major waste-to-energy project in Long An Province, described as a step toward expanding Vietnam’s renewable-energy and sustainability capabilities."US-invested firm prepares $700 million for waste treatment plant in southern Vietnam". ''The Investor (Vietnam)''. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 2025-11-10. === Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA) === Dương serves as chairman of the '''Vietnamese American Business Association'''. VABA includes more than 2,000 members across 12 U.S. states and eight countries, supporting business development, policy advocacy, networking, and startup incubation. Its programs include annual U.S.–Vietnam business conferences and the '''Pitch Perfect''' entrepreneurship competition. == Philanthropy and community involvement == Dương and his family support scholarships, immigrant community programs, disaster-relief efforts, and environmental-education initiatives in both Vietnam and the United States. Through CWS and VWS, he has contributed to humanitarian assistance for low-income communities, Vietnamese diaspora organizations, and environmental training programs. == Recognition == Dương has received commendations from the cities of **Oakland** and **San Jose** for his company’s contributions to job creation, sustainability, and recycling innovation. In Vietnam, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has recognized him for efforts to modernize waste-management infrastructure. His career and refugee story were featured in the 2024 documentary film '''''The King of Trash''''', directed by Errol Webber, which chronicles his journey from war refugee to a leader in the environmental industry."'The King of Trash' Brings Refugee Story and Environmental Leadership to the Screen". ''Variety''. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 2025-11-10. == Personal life == Dương resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family. He travels frequently to Vietnam to oversee VWS projects and philanthropic programs. He continues to advocate for environmental awareness, technology transfer, and stronger ties between Vietnam and the global Vietnamese diaspora. == See also == * [[California Waste Solutions]] * [[Vietnam Waste Solutions]] * [[Vietnamese American Business Association]] * ''The King of Trash'' == References == [[Category:Vietnamese-American businesspeople]] [[Category:American chief executives]] [[Category:Environmental businesspeople]] [[Category:Recycling industry]] [[Category:Vietnamese refugees]] [[Category:American people of Vietnamese descent]] [[Category:People from Oakland, California]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]