It may be a generally peaceful and orderly observation of this year’s All Saints and All Souls’ Days but waste and pollution watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition said it was definitely not a litter-free one.

Citing reports from its members sent in 27 public and private cemeteries in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the EcoWaste Coalition said garbage bins were monitored to be overflowing while some visitors would either just throw their trash anywhere or leave their garbage in the areas where they stayed.

“Throw-away culture is drowning our cemeteries during Undas, especially in places where vendors of food, beverage and other stuff are allowed as most of the things they offer are packed in convenient but single-use and mostly plastic packaging,” said said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“This is unacceptable as visiting the grave sites of our beloved ones should be done with utmost respect, including not leaving any trash behind,” she added.

The garbage woes were observed in 17 public and private cemeteries in Metro Manila, three in Laguna, two in Cavite and one each in Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga.

Among the items commonly discarded by cemetery visitors include single-use plastic bags, disposable food containers, plastic water bottles, paper and plastic cups and plates, snack packs, donut, pizza and pancit boxes, and food leftovers.

Outside the cemeteries where street vendors enjoyed brisk sales due to surging crowds, some people carelessly dropped litter, especially food wrappers, plastic bottles and cups and bamboo skewers, on streets and sidewalks.

“As most cemeteries do not have proper solid waste management in place, it would have been better if visitors willfully brought their discards home.  Biodegradables like food scraps can be fed to animals or composted.  Non-biodegradables can be reused, repurposed or recycled,” said Lucero.

For a cleaner and more eco-friendly celebration of Undas in 2025, the EcoWaste Coalition has recommended the following action points:

1.  For all cemetery visitors to carry their discards away with them and not leave any rubbish behind.

2.  For the concerned cemetery management and LGU to impose and enforce strict rules governing waste management for all to follow, including visitors and vendors.

3.  For civic groups and others providing free water and food to visitors to avoid disposables to minimize waste.

4.  For the general public not to litter, plain and simple.