PRIME movers, government leaders, and members of civil society organizations will gather on Tuesday, August 28, for the Plastic Waste Solutions Summit at Bayawan City in Negros Oriental.
The summit, spearheaded by Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI), is looking to get a commitment from the community to end plastic waste pollution.
The summit intends to produce more science-based materials, activities and public policies to educate coastal communities on the extent and effect of marine plastic pollution; change behavior of community residents to separate waste and recycle at the household and business levels to reduce marine plastic pollution; provide support local government units to improve solid waste planning and management with a focus on recycling plastic waste and other recyclable materials; and engage coastal communities in developing the business model of “zero waste sari-sari stores” as a strategy to reduce plastic packaging from consumer products.
By 2050, it is seen that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish due to billions of plastic waste thrown into the bodies of water around the world.
Plastic waste, aside from being hazardous to the environment, also caused floods and pollutions.
Think about the never-ending flood problems of the major and highly-urbanized cities in the country, including Bacolod. Plastic bags, due to improper disposal, clogged the drainage systems.
A plastic bag can take 1,000 years to deteriorate.
One of the solutions needed to end plastic waste is a strong commitment from the community and government leaders.
There’s a need to reduce the flow of plastic to the ocean. We need it now.