Solid waste commission and malls promote recycling, plastic-free drive

by Alice V. Sicat

QUEZON CITY, Sept. 08 (PIA) -- Deputy Executive Director Eligio Ildefonso of National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) on Thursday said that the average garbage produced by an individual is at least half a kilo per day and in Metro Manila, garbage generated is at least 40 to 45 metric tons daily, equivalent to the size of the biggest mall in the country.

In the program “Talking Points” at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and aired over DZRB - Radio ng Bayan, Dir. Ildefonso said that the volume of the total garbage collection in a day is not very obvious as these are being collected in different parts of the country.

Among the most common problems, he pointed out, is the proper disposal of plastic bags which are often used to pack grocery items, most merchandize and goods purchased from malls and markets.

In response to this problem, Ildefonso observed that mall operators have implemented a plastic bag-free day, usually Wednesdays. On these days, customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags for their grocery purchases.

Malls have also organized and scheduled regularly recyclable collection events where recyclable materials like old cellphones, laptops and other electronic gadgets, classified as electronic wastes or E-Wastes, are collected.

“We have enjoined the malls (to implement this), actually joint program namin ito, matagal na, that was more than five years ago. Kung saan mayroong mga recyclable collection event, lahat ng recyclables dadalhin mo sa mga malls, may mga namimili dun.” (We enjoined the malls, actually, this is our joint project for a long time now way back more than five years ago. Whenever there is a recyclable collection event, all recyclables can be brought to malls where there are people who collect, buy and dispose these), Ildefonso said.

Aside from these projects, he disclosed that there are at least 200 private companies that have partnered with his commission in adopting and cleaning different huge bodies of water in the country. (PND/AVS PIA-GHQ)