USA Today: ”The King of Trash” Uncovers the Remarkable Journey of David Duong from War-Torn Vietnam to America’s Recycling Pioneer
- wendynguyen67
- Dec 19
- 1 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
USA Today recently featured The King of Trash, a powerful new documentary that traces the true story of David Duong and his family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam to becoming pioneers in America’s recycling industry.
According to the article, the film follows the Duong family’s escape from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975, their dangerous journey by sea, and months spent in refugee camps before arriving in San Francisco with nothing. Once in Oakland, the family survived by collecting cardboard and recyclables at night—guided by a belief in dignity, integrity, and honest work.
The feature highlights how those early struggles led to the founding of California Waste Solutions, which grew into one of the Bay Area’s key recycling partners, and later Vietnam Waste Solutions, helping modernize waste management infrastructure in Vietnam. USA Today notes that the film captures not just business success, but the emotional weight of rebuilding a life, the fear of loss, and the complicated act of returning home after decades away.
The article also points to the film’s recent private Bay Area pre-screening, where audience members described the documentary as deeply personal and unexpectedly intimate. Directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Errol Webber, The King of Trash focuses on the human side of the immigrant experience—family bonds, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with opportunity.
👉 Read the full article on USA Today here:
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