BAGUIO CITY – The recent approval of an ordinance regulating the distribution and use of plastic bags will affect many establishments and residents which adhere to the tried and tested use of plastic bags in doing their business.
This is immediately seen at first as an inconvenience as the use of alternative packaging materials such as biodegradable plastic bags, paper bags, reusable bags, eco bags and buri bags often cost more, less reliable, and sometimes cumbersome.
The convenience of using plastics in our daily lives is immeasurable. A common example is the normal task of buying something. Establishments use plastic bags because it is cheap, accessible and convenient not only for them but also for their customers. It’s easy to put everything that is sold and bought in a plastic bag that is strong yet small enough to be folded away or cheap enough to be discarded. However, this convenience costs us something that we cannot immediately see but must be taken note of nonetheless.
According to the results of the Waste Analysis and Characterization Survey (WACS), an astonishing 402 tons of assorted garbage is produced by Baguio City daily. A majority of this is non-biodegradable plastics which takes up space in landfills, which in itself poses a danger to the residents and the environment of the surrounding area. Some even choose to burn their plastics, this gives off toxic fumes of dioxin, a worrying problem of air pollution. Furthermore, Baguio City spends Php70 million of its annual funds to keep its wastes properly disposed of.
A crucial shift in the ways of business and people should be taken sooner or later. A joint effort to reduce the use of plastics by consumer and sellers would be of great help to reduce the waste produced by the city. A decreased use of plastics and plastic bags will lead to a better tomorrow. Baguio City’s shift to an eco-friendly mindset would provide itself with cleaner air, cleaner surroundings, and saved funds which can be used for programs to help its citizens. The beauty of Baguio City can be more enjoyed with the green of its trees rather than the unsightly view of waste plastic.
By Jesus Essa Calacala