Question 1

Who is David Duong?

Accepted Answer

David Duong is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of California Waste Solutions, the recycling and resource recovery company he founded in Oakland, California in 1992. The company is privately held and family owned. He is the subject of the documentary The King of Trash.

Question 2

Who founded California Waste Solutions?

Accepted Answer

California Waste Solutions was founded by David Duong, who serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer. The family's recycling work began earlier with CoGiDo Paper Corporation in 1983. The company remains privately held and family owned.

Question 3

When was California Waste Solutions founded?

Accepted Answer

California Waste Solutions was founded in Oakland, California in 1992 with eight used trucks. The family's recycling work in the United States began earlier, in 1983, with CoGiDo Paper Corporation.

Question 4

What is The King of Trash documentary?

Accepted Answer

The King of Trash is a 72 minute documentary produced and directed by Errol Webber. It follows David Duong and the Duong family from the fall of Saigon in 1975 to their recycling and resource recovery work in California and Vietnam.

Question 5

What companies does David Duong lead?

Accepted Answer

David Duong leads California Waste Solutions, which provides recycling and resource recovery services in Oakland and San José. The company also has international operations through Vietnam Waste Solutions.

Question 6

Where does California Waste Solutions operate?

Accepted Answer

California Waste Solutions serves Oakland, where it supports residential and multifamily recycling, and San José, where it supports Recycle Plus recycling service in Downtown, North, East and South San José. Providers vary by neighborhood and property type, so San José customers should confirm their provider with the city service lookup. The company also has international operations through Vietnam Waste Solutions.

Question 7

Who leads California Waste Solutions today?

Accepted Answer

David Duong is Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Michael Duong is President, Johnny Duong is Chief Operating Officer, and Kristina Duong is Chief Financial Officer. Victor Duong is EVP, Public Affairs.

Question 8

When and where was David Duong born?

Accepted Answer

David Duong was born on April 30, 1958, in Saigon, Vietnam.

Question 9

Why is David Duong called the King of Trash?

Accepted Answer

The title first belonged to his father, Duong Tai Thu, who owned one of the largest paper mill and recycling operations in South Vietnam. David, who built recycling companies in the United States and Vietnam, carries the name today in his father's honor.

Question 10

What is Vietnam Waste Solutions?

Accepted Answer

Vietnam Waste Solutions is the family's company in Ho Chi Minh City, chaired by David Duong. It operates the Da Phuoc Integrated Solid Waste Facility and is developing the Long An Green Environmental Technology Park.

Question 11

What was CoGiDo Paper Corporation?

Accepted Answer

CoGiDo Paper Corporation was the Duong family's first recycling venture in the United States, founded in 1983 with $700 and a used truck and sold in 1989. The experience led to the founding of California Waste Solutions in 1992.

Question 12

Who was David Duong's father?

Accepted Answer

Duong Tai Thu, known as the King of Trash, owned one of the largest paper mill and recycling operations in South Vietnam before 1975 and led 23 family members to escape by sea after the fall of Saigon.

David Duong, Founder and CEO

Further reading