Residents support ‘No Plastic’ order

BACOLOD City – A week after launching a Plastic Holiday in the municipality of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, an official observed positive response from the people.

Binalbagan Solid Waste Action Officer Omar Angelo Rivera said stall owners have expressed approval of the move as they can still earn by selling plastic alternative packagings such as net bags, baskets and other kinds of green bags.

Shoppers also showed cooperation by bringing their own environment-friendly bags in the market.

“In case no plastic enforcers notice plastic packaging from buyers, they are asked to return the item from where it was bought and replace it with the prescribed wrapper,” Rivera said.

He noted that ice scramble sellers have also complied with by using paper cups and paper straws while the bakeries and other stores have also followed the municipal order.

The plastic holiday is observed every Wednesdays and Thursdays but it will eventually be enforced daily.

Plastic product stores were urged to shift to environment-friendly packaging and will fully comply after existing stocks are sold out.

He said primary packaging of commodities like vinegar, soy sauce and other products directly coming from factories are allowed while the secondary packaging in plastics are the ones prohibited.

Degradable plastic products will be temporarily allowed but the implementing team is planning to ban the item as some citizens are confused.

In January this year, Binalbagan launched plastic holiday at the town’s Public Market premises with an aim to reduce the use of plastics-a major environmental pollutant.

The program is in compliance with the directive of Municipal mayor Emmanuel I. Aranda through Executive Order No. 02-2019 and of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board Resolution No. 2.

A no plastic team enforcement headed by Rivera was also created to implement the order. (PIA)