David Duong’s “The King of Trash” and the Power of Immigrant Resilience
For David Duong, The King of Trash is a documentary that tells the story of his family’s resilience, contributions, and legacy. His own journey continues to be informed by this experience, and the values his family instilled in him are now reflected in a multigenerational enterprise. Despite the difficulties they have faced, David and his family continue to exemplify themes of service, dedication, and leadership.
Overcoming Adversity
Living in South Vietnam, the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 forced the Duong family to flee to America by boat. Though they lost everything, including a large paper recycling company founded by David’s father, Jim Thu Tai Duong, the family built a new life in San Francisco. During these early days, seventeen family members survived in a single apartment by collecting recyclables at night. Those early years shaped the discipline and unity later carried forward by Michael Duong, Kristina Duong, and Victor Duong, who now support the family’s companies across operations, strategy, and long-term planning.
As David’s father would remind them, “There is honor in every kind of honest work.”
Building a Legacy in Waste Management
With nothing more than a used truck and $700, the Duong family founded the CoGiDo Paper Corporation in 1983. They successfully sold the venture in 1989, providing much of the family with valuable industry experience. By 1992, David leveraged this experience to purchase eight used trucks and found California Waste Solutions (CWS).
Over the next three decades, David grew CWS into one of the leading family-owned recycling companies in the United States. California Waste Solutions now processes approximately 1,000 tons of recyclables each week in Oakland and 1,300 tons per week in San Jose, helping provide essential recycling services to hundreds of thousands of residents. By serving the community in this way, David and his family have become known for their innovation and integrity.
Having found success in California, David soon aimed to make an impact overseas in Vietnam. In his former nation, he founded Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) to introduce modern environmental technology to Ho Chi Minh City. Through this initiative and specific major projects, David helped to establish key environmental bridges between Vietnam and the United States.
The Story Behind The King of Trash
David has helped his family to find significant success, but his inspiration remains rooted in his father’s example. Known in Vietnam as “Vua Rác,” meaning “The King Of Trash,” David’s father found success at home and abroad and established the family’s immigrant legacy. Through difficulty, he taught his family that nothing should be wasted: not materials, not opportunity, not potential.
Relying on these lessons to build his own career, David was further inspired to share his family’s story with the world. To this end, he worked to capture his family’s journey in The King of Trash documentary, a feature film by cinematographer Errol Webber. The production speaks to the family’s refugee escape, their rebuilding in the United States, and their current leadership in waste management.
Looking Ahead
Today, David is preparing his family’s business for the long term. He has ambitions to take the company public, expanding its impact in California and Vietnam. Furthermore, he works to ensure that California Waste Solutions and Vietnam Waste Solutions remain aligned with future sustainability demands and global environmental standards. Ultimately, David aims to build an enterprise that outlives him, honors his father’s legacy, and helps those around him succeed. Today, leaders such as Michael Duong, Kristina Duong, and Victor Duong help carry the family’s mission forward, strengthening the legacy of a refugee family that rebuilt everything from nothing.
~ Wendy Nguyen
