THE Municipal Government of Binalbagan started implementing the “plastic holiday” initiative on Wednesday, January 23.
This is to reduce plastic use in the locality and to contribute to the global campaign against plastic pollution.
Provided under Solid Waste Management Board Resolution No. 002 Series of 2019, the measure prohibits the use of plastics as packaging materials, as well as pouches or containers of goods, among vendors of the town’s public market.
The “plastic holiday” implemented every Wednesday and Thursday is supported by an Executive Order issued by Mayor Emmanuel Aranda.
Omar Angelo Rivera, action officer of Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) of Binalbagan, said the idea of coming up with such measure is the result of SWM Board’s efforts to reduce the volume of plastic in the town.
Rivera said they were inspired by similar initiatives implemented by some local government units) in Negros provinces like San Carlos City and Dumaguete City.
“Initially, we saw overwhelming support from the stakeholders particularly vendors and consumers,” he said, adding that the local government eyes to eventually implement “plastic holiday” in the entire town including small stores in the barangays.
Under the program, erring establishments at the public market may face suspension of their business permits for a week.
SWMO suggested that every Wednesday and Thursday, recycled containers including water bottles will be used for wet products like oil, vinegar, and soy sauce, among others.
Old boxes and used ice cream containers may be utilized as alternatives for meat and fish products while brown bags and old newspapers can be used to pack dry goods.
Though plastic problem in Binalbagan is not yet alarming, the municipal government wants to prevent possible garbage woes in the future.
In fact, as early as 2000, Binalbagan has started banking on alternative technologies as one measure to manage the town’s garbage.
The local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environment Management Bureau have allocated funds for the purchase of three shredders.
Through its Material Recovery Facility, the town has been shredding and recycling the plastic garbage.
Rivera said they have entered an agreement with a private company that mixes the shredded plastics in the hollow blocks the latter produces while the recycled garbage is given for free to junk shops.
After launching the “plastic holiday,” Rivera said the town is also set to implement a partnership with schools wherein they will give school supplies to students in exchange for their plastic garbage.
“We want to achieve a cleaner Binalbagan which still has no sanitary landfill of its own,” he said, adding that “we are asking for the support of the locals to sustain the initiative.”
One of the organizations that responded to this call is the PeacePond Farmers Association (PFA) in Barangay Enclaro.
PFA vice president and SWM Board member Checcs Osmeña-Orbida said they are working on increasing the awareness on the “plastic holiday” initiative among the town residents.
Osmeña-Orbida said they have started putting labels on the recycled materials like bottles and containers used by their member-farmers.
The association is also set to launch its economy bag, also in support of the measure of the local government.
“By doing these activities, we hope to increase the awareness of the public and encourage more organizations and individuals to help,” she said, adding that before the PeacePond became an organic farm, it has already been practicing solid waste management.