Environmentalist group Eco-Waste Coalition commended the Muntinlupa City for passing an ordinance aimed at reducing “white pollution.”
“We laud the people and government of Muntinlupa City for initiating steps to minimize `white pollution’ and contribute to environmental conservation and protection,” Sonia Mendoza said.
Mendoza is the chairman of the Mother Earth Foundation and coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force on Plastics.
“We congratulate them for caring for Mother Earth by banning plastic bags and other plastic disposables starting next year and for promoting the use of bayong and other ecological alternatives,” she said.
“White pollution” refers to the numerous problems caused by improper use and disposal of plastic trash, including plastic bags, foam containers and other plastic materials.
Mayor Aldrin San Pedro recently signed city ordinance 10-109
prohibiting business establishments from using plastic bags as packing materials both for dry and wet goods starting January next year.
The ordinance also bans the use of Styrofoam/styrophor and other similar materials as containers for food, produce and other products.
Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the
second offense and P2,500 plus imprisonment of six months for the third offense.
“Muntinlupa City is now in the same league as Beijing, New Delhi, San Francisco and many other cities in China, India, US and other countries that have enacted measures curbing plastic pollution,” Rei Panaligan, national coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, said.