With just a few days left before Christmas and New Year, the environmental advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition exhorted the public to do their best to lessen the generation of garbage this festive season.
The group drew attention to the nation’s ballooning waste production estimated at over 40,000 tons daily and the need to seriously cut wasting.
“The rash of holiday shopping, gift-giving, partying and other festive activities is expected to generate truckloads of garbage like in past celebrations,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
“Individual waste generation in Metro Manila estimated at 0.2650 to 1.0032 kg/person/day, for instance, will surely swell with increased consumption and disposal during the extended holidays, especially if discards are not properly sorted at source. We can show Mother Earth some kindness this jolly season by preventing and reducing waste such as single-use plastics,” he added.
Considering the plastic pollution crisis that is threatening the world’s oceans, EcoWaste Coalition urged the public to consume and dispose of less plastic during the holidays and beyond.
For a plastic-less Christmas and New Year, the group suggested these tips: 1) Bring reusable bags and containers on your trip to the wet market, tiangge, department store or shopping mall; 2) Refrain from buying over-packaged products; 3) Avoid disposable cutlery (spoons, forks, knives) and crockery (dishes, plates, cups); 4) Give plastic-free gifts; and 5) Opt for home-made reusable holiday decorations.
“Gift-giving need not put a strain on the environment. Please make it a habit to cut your gift wrap waste. Bags, boxes, cards, ribbons, bows, and wrappers should be reused or repurposed instead of being burned or dumped,” Alejandre said.