THE CAMPAIGN period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections has commenced (May 4-12). A zero waste advocacy group challenges candidates to observe the “5Rs” for a more environmentally-caring campaigning:
* Reject overspending for campaign activities and materials.
* Reduce trash by avoiding use of materials that are not necessary, reusable or recyclable.
* Respect the trees by keeping them poster-free.
* Retrieve campaign materials for reusing or recycling purposes.
* Remove campaign materials immediately after the polling day.
It’s true. The candidates’ keen desire to get the voters’ nod should not worsen the waste and pollution woes of communities. They must campaign in a way that will not aggravate community health and environmental problems.
While it is tempting to spend to the max for leaflets, posters, banners and other campaign paraphernalia to promote their visibility, candidates should adhere to the five-peso expense limit per registered voter in their barangay and avoid going beyond what is allowed and what is necessary to get themselves known to the electorate.
According to the Ecowaste Coalition, campaign materials consume lots of resources to get produced and disseminated. Paper leaflets, for instance, are made from wood pulp from trees. Water, bleaching chemicals, dyes and inks, and, not to forget, fossil fuels, are used to make them. While it takes a lengthy and resource-intensive process to produce them, campaign materials are often disposed of as garbage, dumped or burned.
To conserve the use of resources and minimize the generation of garbage, candidates should refrain from distributing too much leaflets and sample ballots, and from putting up too much banners and posters.
Candidates may even explore more personal and interactive approaches to reaching out to their constituents such as through house-to-house visitations and neighborhood meetings where they can adequately introduce themselves and their platforms, including their plans to address community health and environmental concerns. Now that’s real campaigning.
