Celebrating Earth Day

Today, let us set aside the burning toxic issues in Congress today to give way to a more urgent call for all of us to celebrate Mother Nature. The best way to do so is to find our own small ways to contribute to preserving and protecting our earth.

Allow us to share this information that came via an email group of residents here where we are now, Tsukuba, Japan. We wonder if we can also do this back home? We wonder if we have environmental advocates and political leaders who will give this information time and attention to be tried and tested back in Cebu, back in the Philippines?

Taken from the April 2009 Tsukuba Bulletin, the following message asked everyone to reconsider what they do with their used cooking oil. We replicate the message for its simplicity but clarity in informing residents about this campaign.

First, the intention for the campaign is spelled out. Recycle used cooking oil to prevent global warming. The Tsukuba City government wants to join the anti-global warming campaign by launching this simple project that needs everyone’s cooperation..

The local government is also further informing the public that oil pollutes water sources like rivers and such precious natural resources, together with used cooking oil, can rather be recycled towards positive contribution to a better earth through substitute fuel for vehicles.

Then, the message clearly informs the participating residents about what type of oil will be collected or not by the city government. Only used salad or vegetable oil (in our case, oil from corn, coconuts, canola, olive etc. can be recycled as substitute vehicle fuel).

This is the original full message:

“Don't throw away your used cooking oil! Give it to us! Starting from the intention to prevent global warming, the Tsukuba City Hall will begin collecting used cooking oil in April. With ideas in mind such as a more effective use of natural resources and the prevention of river pollution, the used cooking oil will be refined to create bio-diesel which will be used as substitute fuel for public vehicles.

What kind of oil will be collected? Used salad oil or expired, old cooking oil (in our case, oil from corn, coconuts, canola, olive etc.) will be collected. Furthermore only vegetable oil will be collected, while lard, butter, margarine or chemical oils will not. Moreover kerosene, paint, petroleum and anything else that is not used as cooking oil will not be collected.

How to hand in the used oil? Remove any food bits from the used oil, cool it and put it into a PET bottle. You may hand in expired oil in its original container. Be sure to write "Used cooking oil" on the side of the container.

Where can you hand it in? Collection boxes are going to be put all around the city, in all city hall branch office buildings, clean centers, community halls, supermarkets, gas stations etc. You can hand in the containers with the oil at any time. If you have problem finding the collection boxes, be sure to ask for them at the information counter. Inquiries: Tsukuba City Hall, Recycling Division, Tel:029-836-9811”

Perhaps this simple message can be a guide for collaborative anti-climate change initiatives in our country?

We remember years back, a Japanese housewife was recognized and awarded for her simple suggestion of properly disposing used cooking oil by using old newspapers or used paper to absorb the used oil, rather than to just throw the oil as is with the rest of the garbage or rather than have the used oil drain through the water system.

As you know, oil and water don’t mix. We only have to be reminded about the huge expense and more importantly, the death and destruction caused by the oil spill in Guimaras and other parts of the world to understand why we need to be more careful about managing used oil.

Today’s message is clear: Let us celebrate Earth Day where and however we can in our own small, simple ways.

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