Straws, cups, utensils, and even plates – these are just some of the home essentials we could not share to another individual for sanitation and health reasons. With the pandemic, these utensils need to come in handy and reusable to one person, especially at work.

In one of their field visits and site inspections in the province of Aklan, personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6, with members of people’s organization, used banana leaf sheaths as plates instead. Locally known as “simat,” these were made and prepared by the members of Peace Agreement Interbarangay Project Organization (PAIPO) in Monlaque, Ibajay, Aklan.

“Using biodegradable products reduces trash that ends up in landfills and worst, at the world’s oceans. The world is now fighting for its betterment and with the pandemic, we don’t want to add up to the burden of Mother Nature. Thus, before we end up on a bigger mess, let us all work harder for the improvement and sustainability of our only Earth,” says DENR 6 regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.

“Biodegradable plates and other compostable disposables will not harm the environment because they can easily break down. Instead of using single use-plastics, try biodegradable ones. We laud the efforts of our upland POs for their ingenuity in using recyclable plates,” he adds. (Information and photos courtesy of DENR VI - Regional Public Affairs Office)