LITTERING, throwing and dumping of waste matters in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same is prohibited and punishable under Section 48 of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Thus every year right after the New Year celebrations we get dismayed by the tons of foul-smelling mixed garbage left on the streets. The unchecked dumping of all types of trash is not only appalling and irresponsible but outright illegal.
Let us start the year right. Let us go for zero waste. Let us reduce, reuse, recycle. Let us commit not to litter but pursue socially just and sustainable solutions to our garbage and toxic woes. Let us observe Republic Act 9003, as well as Republic Act 8749 (Clean Air Act) and other related environmental laws.
Do you know that January of every year is Zero Waste Month? The trash-inducing celebrations welcoming the New Year, therefore, is a fitting reminder to us all to shun not only the dangerous and deadly but also the dirty firecrackers.
The post-revelry garbage situation is inexcusable. What we find being dumped on the streets are mixed discards, including recyclable items that should have been returned to factories and compostable materials that should have been returned to Mother Earth through composting.
Discarded food containers, especially those made of polystyrene plastic, food leftovers, plastic and paper packaging, firecracker residues and other residuals are among the typical waste materials we see the morning after New Year celebrations each year. The plastics in garbage heaps are most conspicuous.
The Zero Waste Month this January promotes waste prevention and reduction for a cleaner and greener Philippines by applying the principles of precaution, prevention and public participation. Its observance gives us a chance to start the year right.
