Plastic use still a problem in Makati despite city-wide ban

MANILA, Philippines - Despite a city-wide ban that started in 2013, plastic packaging and containers still plague Makati City.

Acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña on Thursday called on city residents and business establishments to use less plastic packaging and containers following the results of the 2014 Makati Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) that tagged plastic waste as the third most collected solid waste in the city by volume.

“Let us all do our part in lessening the generation of non-biodegradable waste such as plastic through the use of environment-friendly packaging, proper disposal of plastic and recycling. All these will contribute to a healthier environment and less flooding in the city,” Peña said.

According to the 2014 WACS report from the city’s Department of Environmental Services (DES), plastic waste ranked third highest in volume at 19.92 percent, topped by kitchen waste (29.23 percent) and paper (22.87 percent). The other components of total solid waste collection consisted of residual waste (11.90 percent); yard waste/wood (4.79 percent); fiberglass, rubber/leather and others (1.09 percent); and special waste (.20 percent). Textile, metal, glass, other inorganic and other organic waste comprised 2.0 percent.

The 2014 WACS was based on 194 samples collected by the city government, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Interior and Local Group, and Woodfields Consultants Inc. who provided technical assistance.

Samples for the study were taken from barangay households (60 samples), subdivisions (30 samples), condominiums (30 samples), commercial establishments (30 samples), institutions (15 samples), industries (3 samples), street sweeping (6 samples), and markets (20 samples). 

Makati City started its city-wide ban on plastics on June 20, 2013 with the implementation of Ordinance No. 2003-095 or the Solid Waste Management Code of Makati that was passed by the city council in 2003.

The ordinance bans the use of plastic, styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials such as packaging for food and other products.

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.

The ordinance makes specific distinction between “primary” and “secondary” packaging materials and exempts certain products from the plastic ban.

Primary packaging materials are defined as “first level product packaging that contains the item sold,” which are used for wet produce, snack foods, frozen foods, and hardware, among others.  On the other hand, secondary packaging materials are “those used to provide support for wet goods with primary packaging,” usually for the convenience of the handler or customer.  

Among the products exempted from the order are plastic bottled products like bottled water, ice tea, cooking oil, alcohol, mayonnaise, jelly, peanut butter, coco jam and the like.  Also included in the exemption are plastic sachet products like shampoo and conditioner, soap/detergent, noodles; cosmetics; cigarette case; plastic bags used as primary packaging on wet goods with thickness of 15 microns above and other similar products.