Makati plastic ban starts June 20

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay reminded yesterday more than 17,500 retail and food establishments in the city that effective June 20, the city government will fully implement the ban on the use of plastic, styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials as packaging for food and other products.

He said the ban is mandated by the city’s solid waste management ordinance, enacted in 2003. The nine-year grace period ended on Dec. 31, 2012 but was extended until June 20 to give establishments to replace their packaging with environment-friendly materials.

“I believe we have given the concerned establishments enough time to prepare for the full implementation of the plastic ban on June 20,” Binay said.

Binay also urged business owners to submit a report on their inventory on plastic, styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials to the plastic monitoring task force from June 3 to 7 to avoid being penalized for non-compliance.

“The (task force) has informed me that to date, no establishment has submitted a stock inventory report on non-biodegradable materials, including single-use and carry-out plastic bags, which they are required to do quarterly,” he said.

Under the ordinance, individual violators will be fined P1,000 or imprisoned for five days to 30 days, or both at the discretion of the court. An errant corporation or establishment will be fined P5,000 or the owner may be imprisoned from 30 days to a year, or both at the court’s discretion. If warranted, the business permit or license may also be cancelled.