Environment group lauds bishops' stand against single-use plastics
Published Jul 24, 2019 05:10 pm
By Chito Chavez
A Quezon City-based ecological group has cited Catholic bishops for taking a collective and strong stance against single-use plastics, which have become a bane for the global environment.
(Ecowaste Coalition FB Page / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“We welcome the unequivocal statement issued by our bishops toward the elimination of single-use plastics. This should persuade the faithful into shifting to eco-friendly products and packaging materials that are reusable and recyclable,” stated Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
The EcoWaste Coalition specifically cited Bishops Ruperto Santos and Alberto Uy of Balanga, Bataan and Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus, Cavite for their recent pronouncements and actions to curb the use of the plastics in their respective dioceses.
Benosa has also called other dioceses, parishes, and Catholic-run institutions such as schools, hospitals, convents, seminaries, and churches to make or strengthen policies and regulations against the consumption, use, and disposal of the harmful material.
Single-use plastics are plastic bags, drinking straws, plates, cutlery, and banderitas (small banners).
“We likewise hope the private sector, especially the big corporations, will heed the signs of the times and do their part to address the global plastic pollution crisis by seriously cutting packaging and plastic waste,” Benosa said.
As reported in CBCP News, Bishop Santos and the clergy have adopted Balanga City’s directive restricting single-use plastics. “In our cathedral, we go green. We discourage the use of plastic flowers and decors, but natural plants and flowers. We also set aside tarpaulins,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Uy told priests and parishioners in a radio interview to avoid the use of Styros and plastics in any gathering or activity.
“If every citizen will do his share in helping preserve the environment we will all live in a clean and safe community that is pollution-free and plastic-free,” Uy said.
Bishop Evangelista has announced the move by the Diocese of Imus to transform itself into a “zero-waste church.”
Included in the 10-point policy in all parishes and institutions are the ban on plastic banderitas for church occasions and feasts, and the ban on disposable, single-use plates, glasses, spoons, forks in church activities and fellowships.
The said “zero-waste church” initiative has attracted jubilation and support from both the Cavite Green Coalition and the EcoWaste Coalition, which counts on the Diocese of Imus Ministry of Ecology among its members.
(Ecowaste Coalition FB Page / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“We welcome the unequivocal statement issued by our bishops toward the elimination of single-use plastics. This should persuade the faithful into shifting to eco-friendly products and packaging materials that are reusable and recyclable,” stated Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
The EcoWaste Coalition specifically cited Bishops Ruperto Santos and Alberto Uy of Balanga, Bataan and Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus, Cavite for their recent pronouncements and actions to curb the use of the plastics in their respective dioceses.
Benosa has also called other dioceses, parishes, and Catholic-run institutions such as schools, hospitals, convents, seminaries, and churches to make or strengthen policies and regulations against the consumption, use, and disposal of the harmful material.
Single-use plastics are plastic bags, drinking straws, plates, cutlery, and banderitas (small banners).
“We likewise hope the private sector, especially the big corporations, will heed the signs of the times and do their part to address the global plastic pollution crisis by seriously cutting packaging and plastic waste,” Benosa said.
As reported in CBCP News, Bishop Santos and the clergy have adopted Balanga City’s directive restricting single-use plastics. “In our cathedral, we go green. We discourage the use of plastic flowers and decors, but natural plants and flowers. We also set aside tarpaulins,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Uy told priests and parishioners in a radio interview to avoid the use of Styros and plastics in any gathering or activity.
“If every citizen will do his share in helping preserve the environment we will all live in a clean and safe community that is pollution-free and plastic-free,” Uy said.
Bishop Evangelista has announced the move by the Diocese of Imus to transform itself into a “zero-waste church.”
Included in the 10-point policy in all parishes and institutions are the ban on plastic banderitas for church occasions and feasts, and the ban on disposable, single-use plates, glasses, spoons, forks in church activities and fellowships.
The said “zero-waste church” initiative has attracted jubilation and support from both the Cavite Green Coalition and the EcoWaste Coalition, which counts on the Diocese of Imus Ministry of Ecology among its members.