EcoWaste Coalition Suggests Plastic-Free Ideas for Greener Summer 2019
A waste and pollution watch group is pushing for plastic-free
summer excursions as families, workmates and barkadas start to troop to their
favorite beaches and water parks to cool down and have fun amid the scorching
heat.
“Summer outings need not be synonymous with the bane of
plastic, especially the single-use, that is polluting the oceans and harming
marine life,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Going out of the city for the much loved excursions and
picnics and refreshing water fun in the beach or swimming pool should not add
to the plastics in the oceans that are mistakenly eaten by fish and other
aquatic animals,” she said.
The 40 kilos of assorted plastics inside the stomach of a
beached whale found in the east coast of Davao City last March 2019 should
serve as a wake-up call for intensified plastic pollution prevention, the
EcoWaste Coalition said, noting that over 100,000 marine mammals perish each
year because of plastics leaking into the oceans.
“While we push corporations to design throw-away plastic
out of the production system and replace it with eco-friendly and non-toxic
alternatives, and while we urge governments to seek ways to curb single-use
plastic, we, the people, should act to halt the further degradation of the
oceans with plastic and chemical pollutants,” said Lucero.
Individual and collective actions to combat plastic
pollution, the EcoWaste Coalition said, will help in cutting the amount of
plastic waste that gets dumped into the oceans from land-based sources, which
is estimated at eight million tons per year.
“We need not wait for more whales and other marine
animals to die because of the thoughtless production, consumption and disposal
of single-use plastics, which, if not reversed, could further endanger sea
life,” the group emphasized.
In a bid to encourage the public to embrace a
plastic-free, ocean-friendly summer, the EcoWaste Coalition has come up with
some practical steps to begin with:
1. Plan in advance
for a plastic-free family, workplace or barkada excursion. This way, you avoid creating plastic trash.
2. Make
plastic-free purchases whenever possible and put items bought in a reusable
bayong or cloth bag.
3. When buying
vegetables, fruits and other foodstuff, select those that are locally grown,
unpackaged or in least packaging.
4. Prepare and
bring food in reusable containers that do not require cling film or plastic
wrap.
5. Wrap sandwiches
in old but clean hankies or fabric scraps, which can double up as napkins, too.
6. Make use of
plates, cups and cutlery that can be washed and used again. One eco-friendly and healthy option is to eat
on a banana leaf.
7. In lieu of
plastic sheet, paper napkins and wet wipes, go for washable fabric table cover
and cloth napkins. Steer clear of wet
wipes containing harmful ingredients that can elicit allergic contact
dermatitis.
8. Carry with you
potable tap water in reusable bottles instead of buying plastic bottled water.
9. Choose drinks
that come in glass bottles rather than plastic bottles.
10. Instead of
disposable ones, bring your own glass, tumbler or mug for cold and hot drinks.
11. Say no to
plastic straws and stirrers. Remember
the sea turtle with straw in its nostril found off the coast of Costa Rica?
12. Do not buy
personal care and cosmetic products containing plastic microbeads. Note that plastic microbeads in such products
are already banned in US and other countries.
13. Carry your excursion necessities in bayong, basket
or reusable cloth bags and avoid plastic ones.
14. Take time to
do a clean-up before leaving the beach or resort, and bring your discards home
for proper recycling or disposal.
Remember: "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time."
15. Do not forget
to bring extra reusable bags for pasalubong or souvenirs to buy. This way, you help cut plastic bag
waste.
-end-
Reference:
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/7720/-Marine_plasctic_debris_and_microplastics_Global_lessons_and_research_to_inspire_action_and_guide_policy_change-2016Marine_Plastic_Debris_and_Micropla.pdf?sequence=3&%3BisAllowed=
https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/how-did-sea-turtle-get-a-straw-up-its-nose.aspx
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