BACOLOD CITY – Sagay City in Negros Occidental on Thursday officially enforced a total ban on single-use plastics, as part of its commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.

“Let’s reduce waste, protect our seas and land, and choose reusable alternatives. Sagay is where the love for nature begins,” the city government said in a statement.

City Ordinance 2023-015 or the “Single-Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay,” covers all business establishments within the city, including street vendors who offer goods for sale to the public.

On Jan. 1, 2024, the northern Negros city implemented the “No Plastic Day” every Tuesday and Friday.

It was followed by the three-day “No Plastic Day” in 2025 set every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Sagay City aims to totally ban the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and single-use plastics in all establishments.

The ordinance seeks to minimize, if not eliminate, the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene containers in business establishments, as well as reduce the use of plastic cutlery, drinking straws, plastic hand gloves, stirrers, and other materials used for serving food and beverages.

It is expected to encourage the use of alternative packaging materials, such as woven bags, cloth/paper bags, and similar organic packaging materials.

Under the ordinance, it shall be unlawful to use and provide plastic bags as primary packaging materials for dry goods except those packed goods by manufacturers; and as secondary packaging material for wet goods and food items, such as those used for packing fresh wet goods directly purchased in wet markets.

Also prohibited are the use and provision of styrofoam and single-use plastics, such as drinking cups, ice cream and salad cups, stirrers, cutlery, drinking straws, hand gloves, meal box trays, and cake pastry boxes as food and beverage containers and food service materials. (PNA)