EDITORS DESK

Two decades ago, a popular tune proclaimed that “plastic is fantastic.” Today, we find ourselves facing a very different reality. The plastic crisis looms large, often silent but ever-present, and it’s high time we recognize its urgent threat.

Nearly a year after the gradual easing of pandemic restrictions, our authorities seem to be (quietly) grappling with a monumental challenge — how to address the staggering amount of waste that accumulated during the long pandemic, especially single-use plastics. These plastics, once our protectors against an invisible virus, are now hurting our environment.

Personal protective equipment (PPE), goggles, face shields, gloves, coveralls, head covers, shoe covers, etc. are all made of plastic. These items were vital in stopping the virus's spread and safe-guarding our medical frontliners. Additionally, during the pandemic, plastic usage skyrocketed as nearly every item, from online deliveries to fast-food orders, came wrapped in plastic packaging. The question now is: “Where did all this plastic ultimately end up?”
Environmental advocates I recently spoke to acknowledge that a complete eradication of plastics, specifically single-use ones, may be too radical given our reliance on them. But this crisis is not a hopeless situation as long as we act now before it’s too late.

According to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme, we can address plastic pollution using existing technologies and solutions. The report suggests that we can reduce plastic pollution by a staggering 80 percent by 2040 through a systems change scenario focused on “Re-use, Recycle, and Reorient and Diversify.”

Local environment group, Climate Reality Project Philippines, emphasizes the need to reduce waste at the source, eliminating single-use plastics and adopting reuse schemes. This approach, complemented by pricing policies like levies and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, is key to turning the tide.

Re-use schemes, such as refillable bottles, bulk dispensers, and packaging take-back programs, hold promise in reducing plastic waste. Governments and industries must collaborate on establishing design standards that facilitate recycling while improving waste collection and sorting systems in communities.

Removing subsidies for fossil fuels that make virgin plastics cheaper than recycled materials would level the playing field for recycling. Plastic wrappers, sachets, and takeaway items must also be replaced with alternative materials like paper, compostables, and recycled plastics.

Yet, even with these measures in place, we will still need to contend with an estimated 100 million metric tons of plastics from short-lived products. To manage this crisis, the UN Environment has further recommendations, which are supported by the Climate Reality Project. 

First, we need to prevent microplastics at their source. Private businesses must improve the design of garments, ban the use of intentionally added microplastics to personal care products, among others.

Second, governments need to ensure safe collection and disposal of non-circular plastics. This includes assessing disposal facilities and identifying new capacity needs.

Third, plastic waste exports must be eliminated. Disposal of waste in the country where waste is generated is always preferred, except for cases where the better option is exporting to neighboring countries with better capacity.

Last, we have to deal with existing plastic pollution. Financing instruments are needed to improve waste management systems. Plastic credit systems must be implemented with environmental and social safeguard systems.

Considering all these recommendations, it is worthy to note that the government has taken initial steps to address the plastic crisis. For one, there is already House Bill 9147, which passed in July 2021, aiming to regulate and eventually phase out single-use plastics in the country. A counterpart bill was already filed in the Senate; last I checked, it was still pending at a committee level. Let’s see what will happen soon.  

What’s also encouraging while I was doing research for this piece is the fact that there are a lot of local government units (LGUs) who have enacted their own ordinances to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. But, it is not enough to just rely on the national government or the LGUs. Each one of us has to do our role for the planet.

As responsible citizens, we have a duty to ask the tough questions — Do our local groceries or markets encourage us to use ecobags? Is there a community recycling or upcycling facility in our neighborhood? How about consumer incentives programs, such as trash-to-cash or plastic waste in exchange for incentives? After the questions, there should be an appropriate action. 

We have to always remember that information is power. And we have all the data and information pointing to the reality that single-use plastic can become the next tragic crisis that we may face. There is nothing fantastic about all this plastic trash now clogging our waterways or destroying our marine environment.  It’s not too late to change, but change has to start with us, within our own households.

(Johannes L. Chua is the editor of the Environment & Sustainability section.)