Did you know that plastic bags pollution are the most serious environmental issues of our time?

 

Though we educated ourselves as to some of the macroscopic problems – global warming, ozone depletion –  it should be considered that the humble plastic bag is the number one pollutant in our oceans and waterways. 

 

Worse still, as well as blighting our public spaces, they can end up in sewage systems, posing a flood risk. Plastic bags also pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them for food; thousands die each year after swallowing or choking on them.

 

In the Philippines, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change Sen. Loren Legarda, has filed Senate Bill No. 2759, which proposes that supermarkets, restaurants, fast-food chains, and retail outlets eliminate the use of plastic bags.

 

“The idea is to curb pollution and help the country manage its ecological resources more wisely. Plastic bags end up as litter as it makes its way to landfills, drainage and bodies of water, taking decades to decompose and damaging marine life when dumped in the sea," said Legarda.

 

"This issue of pollution is further aggravated by natural hazards, which have become unpredictable due to climate change," she said.

 

Government waste management experts had noted that plastics usually “clog waterways, spoil the landscape, and end up in landfills, where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down into ever smaller particles that continue to pollute the soil and water.”

 

The action aimed to encourage businesses to convert to reusable containers, paper bags and other recyclable materials; ‘bayong’ a reusable basket made from coconut leaves are specifically being pushed.

 

Under the measure, anyone caught selling goods wrapped in plastic bags will face the following penalties: first offense, four hours community service and a P500 ($11.60) fine; second offense, eight hours community service and a fine of P1,000 ($23.25); and third offense, imprisonment of not more than six months and a P2,500 (58.13) fine. Businesses permits for firms violating the ordinance will be cancelled for a year.

 

According to a 2006 survey of EcoWaste Coalition by Greenpeace Philippines, plastic bags and other synthetic packaging materials comprised 76 percent of garbage retrieved from Manila Bay.

 

So how can you help? First, switch to reusable shopping bags; reusable shopping bags made conserve resources and are extremely convenient. Take them with you to the grocery store to be reused when bagging your groceries, instead of taking new ones. Secondly, recycle your plastic bags; return your bags back to the grocery store for recycling.

 

If you are a retailer selling food products, you will need to consider food safety, hygiene and cross-contamination issues when considering alternatives to light-weight plastic bags. Consider replacing lightweight plastic bags with paper bags, biodegradable bags or other options (like barrier bags).

 

By acting now, you'll have plenty of time to explore the alternatives; let’ stop using plastic bags at our home first and spread awareness.