Even as restrictions begin to ease, disposable plastics appear poised to dominate life under the shadow of the coronavirus. | JhessetEnanoINQ
To think that not too long ago, the Philippines was making some headway in the arduous shift from single-use plastics. The clamor for swift action was warranted: According to a 2015 report by the international group Ocean Conservancy, the country generates 2.7 million metric tons of plastic garbage yearly, and is the world’s third biggest marine plastic polluter.
While numbers are still to be validated, overall waste generation during the lockdown is seen to have dropped because of the massive slowdown of economic activity, said Crispian Lao, vice chair of the National Solid Waste Management Commission. As the economy reawakens, plastic has also become commonplace in certain vital areas. Separators made of plastic sheets are now installed in supermarkets, pharmacies and similar establishments. Some public utility vehicles have also been retrofitted to include these.
For example, Quezon City implemented its ordinance banning plastic bags in January but has since decided to step back. “As gathered from businesses themselves, full compliance with the [ordinance] would require proper transition and adjustment through procurement of reusable dining materials and washing and disinfection equipment,” Villaroman said, adding:
House Bill No. 6864, recommended to substitute for the earlier “New Normal” bill, proposes that the government regulate the manufacture, importation, use and recycling of single-use plastics; conduct research on and develop alternatives to single-use plastic packaging; and provide incentives to plastic industries that will shift to other manufacturing activities.
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