Eliminate plastic wastes, group urges

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group is not totally opposing the consumption of plastics but is after the elimination of plastic wastes being thrown into the water.

WWF Philippines National coordinator for Plastics Czarina Constantino said that totally banning plastics in the country is currently hard to attain.

“We understand that there is already product na mahirap i-shift from plastic, considering that products that are in plastic sachets are economically cheaper,” Constantino said.

However, she said that business establishments should start redesigning their product packages to reduce the volume of plastic wastes into the ocean.

“In the Philippines, our waste management is not yet established. That is why, we should focus on the reduction part,” Constantino said.

Based on the 2015 study conducted by professor Jenna Jambeck, the Philippines has been identified as one of the five countries that contribute about 60 percent of the plastic waste leakage in the country.

WWF Philippines vice president for Conservation Program Chrisma Salao said that the country needs to implement properly the Solid Waste Management Act as it would contribute a lot in reducing plastics in the water.

Salao also said that Filipinos should be serious in garbage segregation as there are already reports that microplastics are ingested by fishes that are being sold in the market.