CELLOPHANES called “plastic sando” bags will only be used to pack meat, fish, fruits and vegetables starting January 1, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City, according to the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro).

Likewise, business establishments will not be allowed to use plastic sando bags to pack soaps, dry goods, including cooked food, and other products.

The city government will allow plastics that are “recyclable and reusable” as alternative packaging material.

Clenro chief Engineer Armen Cuenca said regulating the use of plastic sando bags can help lessen the amount of garbage dumped in the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan, this city.

Cuenca said Clenro will begin distributing notices to all business establishments in the city on October, three months ahead of the implementation on January 1, 2020.

The regulation is in accordance with Article 9, Section 30 of the City Ordinance No. 13378-2018 or the “Integrated Ecobiological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of Cagayan de Oro City.”