The Quezon City Government will prohibit disposables and single-use plastic (SUPs) bags, packaging, and cutlery within the Quezon City Hall compound and city government-run establishments in a firm and aggressive stance to reduce plastic waste.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued Executive Order No. 3, Series of 2025 to ban the use of plastic bags and packaging, styrofoam (polystyrene materials), disposable dishware such as paper plates, plastic utensils, PET bottles, as well as plastic and paper cups inside Quezon City Hall buildings and other city-owned facilities startign April 21.
The order also reinforced the provisions of the Quezon City Green Public Procurement Ordinance (SP-3107, S-2021), which sets the guidelines for eliminating single-use plastics and disposable materials in all city-led activities, promoting the use of reusable and recyclable alternatives.
Employees must bring their own reusable eco-bags when buying food and products outside the building facilities, as well as bring their reusable take-out containers when purchasing food from vendors and food stalls within and around the city hall premises.
The use of single-use cutlery will be prohibited for employees within the workplace. For clients and visitors, food from vendors may be served in disposable take-out containers, including utensils upon request. However, these items must not be brought inside the building.
Food deliveries will still be allowed inside city government buildings, as long as the recipient offices are required to recover the food containers and trade them at the Trash to Cashback booth. However, deliveries using plastic packaging will not be allowed inside city government buildings.
Ambulant vendors who fail to comply with the order within city government premises will face penalties, while employees and officials found violating the rules will be issued formal reprimands or memoranda.
“Plastic pollution is a growing crisis that endangers our health, our economy, and especially the well-being of our most vulnerable communities. Plastic even chokes our marine animals. This is precisely why the city government is pioneering policies and long-term solutions to reduce plastic use and advance sustainability,” Belmonte said.
“We hope that this policy inspires other government units and private institutions to champion circular economy and sustainability, and to reduce—or avoid—unnecessary plastic waste,” she added.