THE innovative trash traps of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are effectively helping in trapping and collecting garbage in critical water bodies in Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga, as over 124 tons of solid wastes were collected from 125 floating trash traps installed in Central Luzon.
DENR-Central Luzon Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. said these trash traps were strategically installed in rivers and streams to reduce the volume of solid wastes directly flowing to the greater portion of the Manila Bay.
"In addition to our cleanup efforts, we heighten our efforts to curb wastes and floating debris in our local waterways by putting up these recyclable trash traps," he said.
As a mitigation strategy, Moreno noted that this trash trapping initiative has reduced the volume of plastic wastes in water bodies and has curbed single-used plastics, candy wrappers, containers, and other pollutants from entering waterways and flowing downstream, since solid wastes were captured directly from their source.
The DENR has assured the public that this sustainable waste management efforts of putting up trash traps in local waterways does not hamper the movement of fishes and other aquatic species, it instead protects physical habitats and coastal and marine ecosystems from being polluted.
Since the Manila Bay rehabilitation program started on January 2019, more than 4,300 tons of biodegradable, residual, recyclable, and hazardous wastes have been collected in Central Luzon.
The DENR continues to appeal to the public to properly segregate and dispose their wastes to lessen the burden of plastic pollution and to protect the natural habitat of marine wildlife.