THE RECENTLY concluded International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day in Western Visayas bared a disturbing reality: our coastlines are drowning in plastic. Of the 10,892.97 kilograms of trash collected, plastic beverage bottles topped the list, followed closely by plastic grocery bags and food wrappers. Beyond these numbers reflecting a waste management issue is a deeper environmental crisis fueled by our increasing reliance on single-use plastics.
Western Visayas, like many other regions, is entrenched in a sachet-based economy. The convenience of single-use plastics has permeated every aspect of daily life — from the packaging of food and beverages to household essentials like detergent and shampoo. But convenience comes at a steep cost. These plastics, designed for short-term use, end up lingering in our environment for hundreds of years, polluting our oceans and threatening marine life. The ICC results should prompt us to confront the root cause of this plastic deluge.
While cleanups are good, they merely scratch the surface of the problem. What we need are stricter regulations that go beyond voluntary efforts. The government to take a firm stand and implement policies that will drastically reduce plastic consumption. Existing regulations, such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, must be rigorously enforced, but they are no longer sufficient on their own.
We urge local governments to spearhead the movement for a regional plastic ban or, at the very least, restrictions on the use of single-use plastics. Bans on plastic straws and bags, already in effect in some areas, should be expanded to cover more items, including the ubiquitous sachets that flood our stores and homes. Additionally, incentives for businesses that adopt sustainable packaging alternatives could help shift the market towards more eco-friendly options.
At the national level, there is an urgent need to pass legislation that places responsibility on producers to manage the lifecycle of their plastic products. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, which are already being adopted in other countries, require manufacturers to take back their packaging for recycling or proper disposal. This would force companies to rethink their use of plastic and invest in sustainable alternatives.
Education and awareness also matter. Communities must be made fully aware of the environmental hazards of plastic waste, and consumers should be encouraged to adopt reusable products. But without strong policies backing these efforts, individual actions alone won’t be enough to turn the tide.
The stakes are too high to ignore. Our oceans are not just a source of beauty and biodiversity; they are the lifeblood of coastal communities, providing food, jobs, and economic opportunities. If we continue to treat them as a dumping ground for our plastic waste, we risk not only the health of marine ecosystems but also the well-being of future generations.
