OUR COMMUNITY celebrations, especially those inspired by our diverse faith and culture as a people, should be compatible with our role as stewards of Mother Earth. Thus, this appeal for parishes and communities that celebrate this month the Feast of Santo Niño to take steps to prevent and reduce fiesta garbage. Specifically, avoid the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs) to cut the volume of trash from the festivities.
With the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, various crowd-drawing events are happening in honor of Santo Niño such as the famous Dinagyang in Iloilo, Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Sinulog in Cebu, the Buling-Buling and Lakbayaw in Pandacan and Tondo, Manila, and the Bambino in Pasig City, among others.
As the national and international zero waste month is also observed this January, we appeal to all parishes and communities to avoid SUPs and to choose reusable over disposable products all year round to cut down on waste.
SUPs that are widely used in community festivities include disposable polystyrene plastic containers, plastic cups, plates and cutlery, plastic bags, plastic bottles for water and sugary beverages, plastic straws, and numerous products in sachet packaging, as well as the ubiquitous plastic banderitas.
As we have seen during the recent Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, polystyrene containers for free cooked meals handed out by well-meaning businesses and individuals to the devotees, as well as for food sold by ambulant vendors, were among the most visible litter on the city streets and alleys. To reduce the disposal of polystyrene containers used for cooked meals, food givers and vendors are urged to invest in reusable containers and cutlery that can be washed and reused over and over again.
The consumption of water in throw-away plastic bottles is also discouraged. Citizens should instead opt for reusable containers that can be filled with clean tap water or, if necessary, with boiled or filtered water.
In place of plastic bags, go for reusable carry bags such as those made of cloth and other biodegradable materials, as well as from upcycled waste resources.
As for the fiesta banderitas that are seldom reused, the public must not put up buntings made of SUPs which only add to residual trash.
By consuming responsibly and opting for things that can be safely used and reused, we help bring down the ballooning volume of plastic garbage, as well as prevent the release of plastic debris, microplastics and plastic chemical additives contaminating the environment, the food chain and our bodies.
We need everyone to get involved to build a sustainable, waste-free and non-toxic environment for all.
