The day after we welcomed the new year, an all-too-familiar sight confronted us: mounds of garbage in public spaces. Year after year, New Year’s Eve celebrations leave public spaces littered with various forms of plastic packaging for food and beverages, firecracker debris, paper wrappers, and food waste.
It is a troubling sign of an environmental problem and the absence of an anti-littering mindset as a duty of every citizen.
Although authorities have not yet stated the number of tons of garbage hauled from parks and other public places after the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the videos on social media showing thousands of families welcoming the new year with food and drinks showed the beginnings of the thrash that will be left behind.
In 2023, the Manila local government unit reported that after Christmas Day it collected 41 tons of trash in Luneta Park. In past years, the volume of garbage collected after New Year’s celebrations has been staggering. For instance, in 2020, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported collecting 55 tons of garbage from Metro Manila alone within just 24 hours after the festivities.
Although this annual waste problem highlights the broader solid waste management challenge the Philippines continues to grapple with, it shows the need to inculcate the value of anti-littering as the duty of every citizen. This behavior has a slogan – CLAY-Go—which means “clean as you go.” A citizen should be responsible for cleaning up thrash from an activity. It is not only the government’s duty to run an efficient solid waste management system.
The Philippines produces between 60,640 and 61,000 metric tons of solid waste per day. With an estimated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste generated each year, of which nearly 20 percent ends up in the ocean, the Philippines is ranked as one of the world’s top contributors to marine plastic pollution. A significant portion of the New Year’s waste comprises single-use plastics, including bottles, cups, and utensils, as well as non-biodegradable fireworks debris.
Studies have shown how this unmanaged waste impacts the environment. Plastics, in particular, have devastating effects on marine life. A 2021 study found that approximately 36 percent of fish in Philippine waters contained microplastics in their digestive systems, a sobering reminder of how pollution infiltrates the food chain. Additionally, plastic waste in soil disrupts nutrient cycling and plant growth, further compromising agricultural productivity.
Solving this waste crisis requires a multi-pronged approach from both government and private sectors. The implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003), which mandates proper waste segregation and disposal, has been inconsistent across cities and municipalities. Local governments need to enforce stricter penalties for littering and bolster their waste management systems, particularly during events like New Year’s Eve.
Private sector initiatives can play a significant role. Businesses should reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and adopt circular economy models where materials are reused or recycled. Collaborative efforts, such as community cleanups and public awareness campaigns, can also foster a culture of environmental responsibility.
Ultimately, the future generations bear the brunt of today’s waste problem. A polluted environment diminishes the quality of life, limits access to clean water and arable land, and accelerates climate change.
It is time for collective action to ensure that the joy of welcoming a new year does not come at the expense of the planet’s future.