AS THE annual Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education gets underway, a waste and pollution watch group exhorts all participants to work in concert to ensure a healthy and safe school environment that is conducive to children’s learning and development.
EcoWaste Coalition is pitching practical measures to prevent environmental pollution during this weeklong cleanup, repair, and renovation of school facilities. Among others, school heads and other Brigada Eskwela partakers should be on their guard against the improper disposal of discards and the inappropriate use of lead-containing paints. The use of lead-containing paints should be strictly forbidden to avoid lead poisoning within the school premises. In fact, DepEd itself issued Department Order 4 requiring the “mandatory use of lead-safe paints in schools” and Department Order 64 specifying “paint materials must be independently certified lead-safe paints/coatings.”
Brigada participants must also be reminded that open dumping and burning of discards are polluting practices that go against DepEd’s commitment to put ecological waste management into effect in schools all over the country. DepEd Department Order 5, series of 2014 enjoins schools to conduct waste prevention and reduction activities, including enforcing the prohibition on littering and burning of trash, in line with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Allow us to share more suggestions from the EcoWaste Coalition for a healthier and safer Brigada Eskwela:
* Sort discards at source instead of mixing them altogether.
* Compost biodegradable discards, and reuse, repurpose and recycle the rest.
* Say no to open dumping and open burning.
* Shun hazardous cleaning agents such as muriatic acid, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), and oxalic acid.
* Pick lead-safe paints for decorating classrooms, chairs and tables, library, canteen, playground, and other school amenities.
* Avoid dry sanding or dry scraping lead painted surfaces to prevent lead dust from spreading.
* Safely handle and manage busted mercury-containing fluorescent lamps to prevent breakage.
* Observe “no smoking policy.”
* Use reusable or recyclable containers for volunteers’ drinks and foods.
* Wash hands properly with soap and water before meals and after the work is done.
It is hoped that our efforts to make this year’s Brigada Eskwela more eco-friendly will result to a cleaner and safer school environment that our students and teachers deserve to enjoy all-year round.
