David Duong, born Dương Tử Trung, is a Vietnamese-American entrepreneur, environmental industry pioneer, and founder of two major waste-management companies—California Waste Solutions (CWS) in the United States and Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) in Vietnam. Today, Duong is recognized internationally for advancing recycling technologies, modernizing urban waste systems, and creating environmental infrastructure projects that have reshaped both the U.S. West Coast and Vietnam’s industrial landscape.
As CEO of CWS and chairman of VWS, Duong oversees some of the largest privately operated recycling and waste-processing facilities in Northern California and Southeast Asia. His career reflects a rare combination of immigrant resilience, engineering innovation, and cross-border investment leadership.
Early Life: From Saigon to the American Dream
David Duong was born into a family deeply involved in the paper and recycling business in Saigon, South Vietnam. Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, his family fled Vietnam as part of the historic “boat people” refugee wave. After surviving a dangerous escape and resettling in San Francisco, the Duong family began life with almost nothing.
To survive, they collected discarded cardboard, paper, bottles, and cans on the streets of the Bay Area. These early years of hardship became the foundation of Duong’s understanding of the recycling industry—an understanding that later transformed into a multi-national environmental enterprise.
Career Overview
Founder & CEO – California Waste Solutions (CWS)
Established: 1992
Headquarters: Oakland, California
In 1992, Duong founded California Waste Solutions, now one of Northern California’s largest and most advanced recycling companies. CWS manages:
- Major recycling contracts for Oakland
- Residential recycling operations for San Jose
- Advanced sorting facilities processing thousands of tons of recyclables per day
- Hundreds of employees across the Bay Area
CWS grew from a small family business into a major regional player known for modern recycling technologies, environmentally responsible operations, and long-term municipal partnerships.
Through CWS, Duong earned a reputation as one of the most influential Vietnamese-American business leaders in California’s environmental sector.
Chairman – Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS)
Founded: 2005
Major Projects: Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility
Duong founded Vietnam Waste Solutions to bring modern U.S. environmental technologies to Vietnam’s rapidly urbanizing cities.
Đa Phước Integrated Waste Management Facility
Located in Ho Chi Minh City, Đa Phước was the first large-scale, privately financed waste-management complex in Vietnam, incorporating:
- Modern landfill engineering
- Recycling systems
- Composting technology
- Leachate treatment
- Methane capture and energy recovery
VWS is also developing one of Vietnam’s largest waste-to-energy facilities in Long An Province, part of Vietnam’s push toward renewable energy and climate action.
Chairman – Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA)
Duong also chairs VABA, a global nonprofit promoting:
- Vietnamese-American entrepreneurship
- U.S.–Vietnam investment partnerships
- Startup incubation
- Business conferences
- Innovation initiatives such as the Pitch Perfect competition
VABA operates across 12 U.S. states and eight countries, positioning Duong as a key bridge between American and Vietnamese business communities.
Philanthropy & Community Contributions
David Duong’s humanitarian work spans two continents. He actively supports:
- Scholarships for low-income students
- Aid programs for immigrant communities
- Disaster relief in Vietnam and the U.S.
- Environmental-education initiatives
- Community development through CWS & VWS
His philanthropic efforts reflect a lifelong commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and giving back to both the U.S. and Vietnam.
Media Recognition & Awards
David Duong has been recognized by:
- City of Oakland – for pioneering recycling solutions
- City of San Jose – for job creation and sustainability leadership
- Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment – for modernizing Vietnamese waste infrastructure
Documentary Feature
Duong’s life story is chronicled in the 2024 documentary:
“The King of Trash” – Directed by Errol Webber
The film highlights his journey from refugee survival to global environmental entrepreneurship.
Personal Life
David Duong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family and regularly travels to Vietnam to oversee infrastructure projects, environmental programs, and philanthropic initiatives.
He continues to advocate for:
- Sustainable waste solutions
- Renewable-energy innovation
- Stronger ties between Vietnam and the global Vietnamese diaspora
- Ethical, community-focused business development
Why David Duong Is Considered a Global Environmental Leader
David Duong stands out internationally for:
- Introducing modern waste-management technologies to Vietnam
- Leading one of the largest recycling companies in California
- Building cross-country environmental collaborations
- Supporting economic development within the Vietnamese diaspora
- Transforming refugee hardship into global environmental impact
His unique background positions him as both a business innovator and a symbol of resilience for immigrant communities worldwide.
