The city government of Makati on Thursday urged residents and business establishments to use environment-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging and containers following a study showing plastic waste as the 3rd top collected garbage in the city.
“Let us all do our part in lessening the generation of non-biodegradable waste such as plastic through the use of environment-friendly packaging, proper disposal of plastic, and recycling. All these will contribute to a healthier environment and less flooding in the city,” said acting Mayor Romulo Peña Jr.
Peña said the sustained support of the city’s stakeholders to the citywide plastic ban and its advocacy for recycling will produce positive outcomes, including reduction of flooding in the city.
Two years ago, the city government enforced Executive Order 007, which bans the use, sale, and distribution of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials such as styrofoam (polystyrene).
Last year, the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study showed plastic waste as the third biggest volume of solid waste collected in the city.
In the WACS report conducted by the city’s Department of Environmental Services, plastic waste ranked third highest in volume at 19.92 percent, topped by kitchen waste (29.23 percent) and paper (22.87 percent).
The other components of total solid waste collection consisted of residual waste (11.90 percent); yard waste/wood (4.79 percent); fiber glass, rubber/leather and others (1.09 percent); and special waste, (.20 percent). Textile, metal, glass, other inorganic and other organic waste comprised 2.0 percent.
Peña commended the Plastic Monitoring Task Force for randomly inspecting more than 1,000 establishments per month in both districts in the city. He said the task force is composed of DES, Business Permit Office, Makati Health Department, Makati Action Center, Economic Enterprise Management Office, and deputized enforcers from the barangays (under the Liga ng mga Barangay).
The 2014 WACS was based on 194 samples collected by the city government, with the assistance of Metro Manila Development Authority, Interior and Local Government department, and Woodfields Consultants Inc. (for technical assistance).
The samples were taken from barangay households (60 samples), subdivisions (30 samples), condominiums (30 samples), commercial establishments (30 samples), institutions (15 samples), industries (3 samples), street sweeping (6 samples), and markets (20 samples).
The city government first waste analysis was conducted in 2011 together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
