On the occasion of New Year celebrations this week, the EcoWaste Coalition has issued a public appeal urging citizens to refrain from using firecrackers and fireworks.
The organization emphasized the importance of choosing safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to celebrate the holiday, specifically homemade noisemakers that are emission-free.
This initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects associated with traditional celebrations, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with health concerns.
A 12-year-old boy died recently in Tondo, Manila, while his friend was injured when they picked up from the street a firecracker that failed to explode and then lit it up. Police said due to the impact of the explosion, the child’s right leg was almost severed.
The EcoWaste campaign emphasizes the welfare of children and pets, including companion animals and stray animals, as well as the preservation of the environment during this festive period.
“We need to let go of this dangerous and highly polluting tradition of ushering in the New Year with toxic pollution that harms respiratory health, explosive booms that scare and traumatize cats and dogs, accidental fires, and senseless injuries—with victims mostly children and youth,” said EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero.
In line with this, the group shared some creative alternatives to make noise for the New Year celebration without the use of firecrackers and fireworks.
· Use the lids of pots and pans as cymbals.
· Repurpose empty cans into maracas.
· Flatten bottle crowns and turn them into instant tambourines.
· Jiggle your piggy banks.
· Fill paper and plastic containers with “bato, buto, barya, or tansan” (stones, seeds, coins, bottle caps) to create “pa-alog” or shakers.
· Knock empty coconut shells.
· Honk bicycle or car horns.
· Switch on the radio, ring the alarm clock, and play ringtones altogether.
· Clap your hands, stomp your feet, laugh your lungs out, and bid your worries goodbye.
· Sing any lively song together and conclude with kisses and hugs for a better and healthier New Year.
