The Duong Family: A Story of Survival, Strength, and Second Chances

Before 1975, the Duong family lived a steady and hardworking life in South Vietnam. Led by their father, Jim Duong Tai Thu, the family operated a respected recycling and scrap-collecting business. Their work was rooted in discipline, responsibility, and the belief that honest labor holds dignity. These early values shaped every member of the family and became the foundation they relied on when their world collapsed.

April 1975 changed everything.When Saigon fell, the family lost their business, home, and any sense of stability overnight. Faced with no future in their own country, they joined thousands of Vietnamese families who fled by sea. The journey was dangerous, filled with uncertainty, and followed by months in refugee camps. Through fear, trauma, and unimaginable difficulty, the family remained united. Their ability to stay together — emotionally and physically — became their greatest strength during the darkest moments.

Arriving in San Francisco offered safety, but no guarantees. The Duong family started from absolute zero. They shared a small apartment with multiple relatives, worked long hours, and accepted any labor they could find. Collecting bottles, cardboard, and scrap materials became their first income in America. Each family member played a role. Every dollar was earned through effort and sacrifice. These early years tested them, but they also strengthened the family’s resilience and shaped the work ethic that defined their future.

Over time, the Duongs transformed their survival work into a long-term vision. Through persistent effort and shared commitment, they built California Waste Solutions (CWS) into a major recycling company serving Oakland and San Jose. What made CWS unique was not only its growth, but the family behind it — a family that understood hardship, unity, and the importance of building something that could support their community.

As CWS expanded, the Duongs looked back toward Vietnam. This led to the development of Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), a large-scale environmental project in Ho Chi Minh City. For the family, bringing modern waste management to Vietnam was more than business — it was a meaningful return to their roots and a chance to contribute to the country they once had to flee. It connected their past to their present in a way that carried both emotional and practical significance.

Like many families with long histories and public responsibilities, the Duongs have faced challenges in recent years. These moments required strength and unity — qualities they have relied on since their escape in 1975. The family continues to work together, lead their companies, and support the communities around them. Their resilience has remained consistent through every chapter of their lives.

Their journey is now captured in The King of Trash, a feature documentary directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Errol Webber. The film documents the family’s life across Vietnam and the United States, from their escape at sea to their rebuilding years in California, and their later impact in environmental development. It shows the people behind the businesses, the sacrifices behind the progress, and the family bond that carried them forward through decades of adversity and opportunity.

Today, the Duong family remains active in both countries, working in environmental innovation, community development, and business leadership. Their story reflects what can happen when a family stays united through loss, displacement, and the long journey of rebuilding a future from nothing. It is a story still unfolding, shaped by new milestones and the same resilience that defined their beginning.

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Official Website: https://www.thekingoftrash.usMedia & Inquiries: info@thekingoftrash.us