BAN Toxics Renews Call to Ban Single-Use Plastics

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CALUMPIT, Bulacan – In observance of International Plastic Bag Free Day 2025, environmental justice group BAN Toxics renewed its call to eliminate plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

The annual campaign, launched by Zero Waste Europe and other advocacy groups, aims to raise awareness about the environmental and health impacts of single-use plastic bags.

In partnership with the Office of Mayor Lem Faustino, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, MDRRMO, Eco-Laya, FiliPhiNous, Bulacan State University environmental science students, El Mercado de Calumpit Vendors Association, and the #MalinisNaIlog Movement, BAN Toxics led a public awareness event at the El Mercado de Calumpit Public Market.

The campaign focused on educating residents about plastic pollution, promoting eco-friendly alternatives, and encouraging a toxics-free, waste-free lifestyle.

The group urged consumers to use biodegradable bags such as bayongs made of buri, pandan, water lily, abaca, rattan, and reusable canvas or cotton bags.

It also warned against so-called “eco-bags” made of plastic-based materials like polypropylene, polyester and nylon, which still contribute to plastic waste.

The Provincial Government of Bulacan continues to enforce Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-09, which bans the use and sale of non-biodegradable plastic bags and Styrofoam in the province.

The ordinance’s implementing rules were signed on Dec. 12, 2012.

As of 2019, the National Solid Waste Management Commission reported that 489 cities and municipalities—around 30% of the country’s 1,634 local government units—had adopted regulations to reduce plastic use.

Plastic bags remain one of the most visible contributors to global plastic waste.

According to a 2019 study by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Filipinos use about 60 billion sachets, 17.5 billion shopping bags and 16.5 billion labo bags annually.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) projects global plastic consumption to reach 516 million tonnes in 2025 and 1.2 billion tonnes annually by 2060.

Many plastics contain hazardous chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols that pose risks to human health and ecosystems.

“The plastics crisis is urgent,” said Thony Dizon, advocacy and campaign officer of BAN Toxics.

“Toxic chemicals are released throughout the plastic lifecycle, and single-use bags are a major contributor. Today serves as a call for the government, industries and the public to implement a nationwide ban on single-use plastics and shift to safer, sustainable alternatives.”

In 2022, the United Nations launched the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a Global Plastics Treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution.

BAN Toxics remains an active participant in the treaty negotiations.

The second part of the 5th session (INC-5.2) is set for Aug. 5 to 14, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The previous session was held in Busan, South Korea.

“As part of our Zero Waste campaign, we urge governments, businesses and communities to take bold steps to reduce plastic production, address toxic chemicals in plastic wastes, implement a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, and promote a culture of reuse and repair,” Dizon added.

BAN Toxics continues to advocate for policies and practices that eliminate hazardous chemicals, reduce plastic pollution at the source, and build a toxics-free and waste-free future.