Regulation of single-use plastics among food chains pushed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa is seeking to regulate the use and distribution of single-use plastics among food establishments in the city, to address problems concerning non-recyclable residual waste.

In a proposed measure entitled, “Ordinance Regulating the Distribution/Use of Disposable Tableware and Food Containers”, Abellanosa hopes to address what he described as “very alarming” gap between residual and non-residual waste.

The proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling last Wednesday.

In an interview with The Freeman, Abellanosa said he was motivated to push for the said measure following a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) he requested from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO).

Based on the data, it was found out that Cebu City generates solid waste amounting to 314, 527.32 tons each year, of which 28.22 percent is considered residual waste or those that are non-compostable and non-recyclable while 35.05 percent is recyclable.

“Compared to the 35 percent recyclable then you compare (it) against the 28.22 percent nga non-recyclable, (it is) just very alarming. That’s a big number. So, that’s why we came up with this in order to further complement or help also kining atong naa na nga (No) Single-Use Plastic Ordinance but this would widen the scope,” Abellanosa told The Freeman.

Abellanosa was referring to the existing City Ordinance 2343, also known as “No Plastic Saturday Ordinance of the City of Cebu” that was passed in 2013, and amended in 2020 to extend the prohibition of plastic shopping bags for three days a week-- Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Abellanosa also said that apart from the existing ordinance, which only bans the single-use plastic bags, he also aims to prohibit other plastic materials including disposable tableware, food containers, and accessories that food establishments distribute to their customers or clients, emphasizing that improper disposal of these materials can also lead to flooding.

“If we go for plastics lang, atoa na na gibawal through an ordinance but then there’s a big number of this gihapon kay di man jud siya ingon nga ma-recycle thoroughly… and atong problema jud now is flood because of the garbage and improper disposal. So, that’s why. This would help us even more kay this would regulate and generate less nga non-recyclables (waste),” Abellanosa said.

As stated in the Section 4 or Guidelines of the proposed ordinance, food establishments are prohibited from distributing for use  disposable tableware and  disposable food containers and accessories to customers/clients who have dine-in orders but disposable straws, napkins, and toothpicks may still be provided as long as they are compostable, including for take-out orders.

However, Abellanosa said that the above mentioned guidelines are not applicable to the school canteens, healthcare facilities, and street food vendors that will suffer significant economic hardship if they will strictly comply with the said guidelines.

With regard to the frequency of the implementation, Abellanosa explained that a “gradual” implementation will be done once approved.

“Of course, it’s also a hard thing to do for everybody that’s why wala pa ta gibutang na days but generally, it should start to cover one or two days, then slowly (or) gradual(y) the whole week,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa further said that penalties are also provided to ensure compliance from food establishments. – Nicholas Jon Malaga /FPL (FREEMAN)