The invasion of plastic wastes into the ocean will ultimately affect the livelihood of fishermen, curb fish production and endanger food security.
It is no wonder that the Philippines is the world’s third biggest contributor to plastic pollution.
Swelling rivers and other waterways in the aftermath of heavy rains transport tons and tons of plastic wastes to the ocean.
Open landfills near waterways contribute to the migration of plastic wastes into the open sea. As the World Bank noted in a recent study, emerging markets like the Philippines have been hardest hit by the plastic pollution crisis.
Half of the top 10 countries contributing to plastic leakage in rivers and seas are located in Southeast Asia. The banks says the lack of waste management infrastructure, waste colonialism and the proliferation of single use plastics and plastic sachets, which offer basic goods in small units to cater to a population with a low average income, have all contributed to the problem. Reports estimate that almost 60 billion sachets are used annually in the Philippines
The Philippines, along with China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, accounts for 55 percent to 60 percent of plastic waste entering the ocean.
The invasion of plastic wastes into the ocean will ultimately affect the livelihood of fishermen, curb fish production and endanger food security.
Ocean Conservancy, a non-government organization in the United States that works for cleaner oceans, and global consulting company McKinsey have described the Philippines as the third-ranking contributor to plastic pollution in the world, with 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste generated every year.
Their study estimated that 20 percent of the waste end up in ocean environments About 74 percent of plastics that leak into the ocean were initially collected but escaped from open landfills that are located near vulnerable waterways, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.
The country’s lead policy-making government body on climate change has called for an effective waste management as part of the long-term solutions to environmental challenges.
The Climate Change Commission made the call in the observance of the National Cleanup Month in September, encouraging communities to actively participate in cleaning and protecting the environment.
“We must adopt better habits and implement efficient waste management practices. While cleanups are important, they only address the symptoms of a broader waste problem. Every piece of plastic waste we manage brings us closer to reduce the long-term need for cleanups,” the agency said.
“By focusing on effective waste management— through proper waste disposal, recycling, and responsible consumption—we work toward sustainable, long-term solutions to our environmental challenges,“ it added.
Inadequate waste management, according to the CCC, has become a major concern in building a climate-resilient community. Environmental degradation disrupts ecosystems and poses serious risks to public health and safety.
The CCC says flooded streets, polluted waterways and the heat-trapping effects of excessive waste contribute to more frequent and severe weather events, underscoring the urgent need for large-scale cleanup efforts.
The private sector, meanwhile, should take the problem of plastic pollution more seriously. A few companies have started to provide solutions to the pollution scourge but they may have to do more to make an impact.
Fortunately the SM Group of the Sy family, through SM Retail, is installing waste segregation bins in 75 stores nationwide to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.
SM Retail recently installed recycling bins in 25 branches across the National Capital Region (NCR), with 50 additional provincial branches scheduled to follow in the coming weeks.
“By placing recycling bins in 75 of our department stores, SM Retail is taking a practical step towards improving waste management,” said Luis Lava, SM Retail vice president for workplace and administration.
“At SM, we stand united in this global movement. Our unified waste management and segregation campaign, involving our property, retail groups, and stakeholders, aims to create more impact for us and our communities,” added Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls vice president and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment.
As climate change persists, Filipinos should now have a a different mindset about waste management
to mitigate disaster risks. The World Bank in a recent study observed that unrecycled plastic, for one, is either deposited in landfills or discarded freely in the environment.
The bank said it has led to a buildup of plastic waste in sewers, stormwater drainages, rivers, and the sea, leading to human health and sanitation risks, clogged infrastructure and flooding and economic losses for sea-based industries, including fisheries, tourism and shipping.
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