David Duong

I’m a Vietnamese American entrepreneur and the founder of California Waste Solutions (CWS) in Oakland, California, and Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) in Ho Chi Minh City. My life began in Saigon, where my family worked in the paper-recycling trade before we immigrated to the United States in 1979. What started as small, hands-on work collecting scrap in the Bay Area eventually grew into companies that now serve millions of people across two countries.

My focus has always been simple: build systems that keep communities clean, create responsible recycling habits, and open opportunities for people who often start with little—like my family once did. At CWS, we partner with cities like Oakland and San José to run curbside recycling programs and operate modern material recovery facilities. Through VWS, I helped develop one of the largest integrated waste-management facilities in Vietnam.

I care deeply about community, sustainability, and the long journey of rebuilding a life from nothing. These values guide my work today—whether improving recycling services, mentoring families in business, or strengthening the bridge between Vietnamese and American communities.

If you’d like to connect, I’m always open to conversations about sustainability, leadership, and shared community growth.