Zero waste in the Philippines: We can do it

Mother Earth is ill and needs our help to be well again. Many people from other countries have practiced Zero Waste. But is it possible here in the Philippines?

Garbage pollution is an international security threat, and we just can't sit this one out.

Zero Waste is a movement to reduce the amount one consumes and consequently throws away. Adopting a Zero Waste lifestyle is one of the most sustainable ways of living. Zero Waste lifestyle choices influence all environmental areas by preventing resource extraction, reducing the amount of materials sent to the landfill or incinerator, and reducing pollution from producing, transporting, or disposing of materials.

Being the third biggest ocean polluter. The Philippines is a big contributor to marine pollution. A 2015 report on plastic pollution by the Ocean Conservancy charity and the McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment ranked the Philippines as the third-largest source of discarded plastic that ends up in the ocean, behind two other Asian nations: China and Indonesia. The Philippines generates 2.7 million tons of plastic waste annually and 20% – or half a million tons – of that plastic leaks into the oceans, the report stated.

The cause?

Despite the ban of plastic bags all around the Philippines, the fight against it is still there. Due to the small businesses who still use these plastics.

As Filipinos. We help to ease the problem of marine pollution by joining the Zero Waste movement. Zero Waste is often shown as something not easily accessible (making your own soap just may not be practical in your life, for example), but it’s actually very easy to take simple steps toward Zero Waste. In fact, not only will you reduce waste, adopting a Zero Waste lifestyle can often be more affordable. Composting, buying second-hand, sharing when you can, or packing your own lunch are all simple steps you can take toward Zero Waste, all while saving money too!

You can start from small steps:

Like using your own bag and containers for shopping, or if buying only a few items you could just put it inside your bag, like I always do. I ask the lady at the counter if I could just put the products I bought inside my bag. Using beeswax wrap for other food purchase, buying in bulk, buying in bulk reduces the use of single use plastic packaging. Buy big containers of shampoo, soap and other liquids. Avoid sachets, buy the big bottles, they can be recycled and used in other ways possible or you can use a bottle and refill it.

At three refilling stations in select Ayala malls, consumers can get as much as 20% discount per milliliter compared to buying the packaged ones.

A refilled 182ml container of Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo costs P105.55 at the refilling station compared to between P120 to P125 for a 170 ml bottle. Shoppers without an empty bottle can purchase one for P10. And if one has the ability to afford Zero Waste Stores that would be good too

Going Zero Waste isn't impossible here in the Philippines, with the proper passion and dedication, we can do this.

You can join us in this journey defeating an international threat.

Claire Menchavez

Freschia Gonzales

USJ-R