Luntiang Pilipinas Urges Filipinos to Stop Using Plastics
The threat of plastic waste to the environment, especially to the ocean, is getting more serious by the day. That’s the reason why environment group Luntiang Pilipinas is urging Filipino families to stop using plastics.
The party-list group said in a statement that Filipinos should adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. Luntiang Pilipinas is launching a nationwide campaign this zero-waste month.
“A zero-waste lifestyle means using products that can be reused and promoting processes that avoid or eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste,” said Luntian founder Sen. Loren Legarda.
“It means creating little to no waste [and] veering away from the throwaway culture by reusing, reducing and recycling,” she added.
Ban on Single-use Plastic
Luntiang Pilipinas, as well as other environment groups, will collaborate to campaign for the ban on single-use plastics. To give the initiative traction, they are planning to hold multiple forums and meetings with community leaders.
The Philippines generate 40,000 tons of garbage yearly and is the third largest ocean plastic polluter in the world after China and Indonesia.
“Let us start the year with a resolve to be better citizens of the Earth by adopting an eco-friendly, zero-waste lifestyle,” Legarda said.
Luntian also vowed “to take a more proactive role in the protection and preservation of the environment.”
Seeking Congress Seats
The party-list group wants to land seats in congress through veteran journalist Mike Ubac, actress Ciara Sotto, columnist Mons Romulo, and environment advocate Sonia Mendoza as its first, second, third and fourth nominees respectively in the midterm elections.
Legarda also mentioned they are pushing for support for Senate Bill No. 1948, or the “Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2018.” Passing the bill into a law will be a big step towards a zero-waste lifestyle in the country.
Senate Bill No. 1948 seeks to prohibit the importation and use of plastics in establishments. Incentives to businesses and individuals who would transition to the use of non-plastics will also be offered.
