Statement on the Trashing of Rizal Park, 1 January 2020

“The EcoWaste Coalition is gravely disappointed over the repeated trashing of Rizal Park by disrespectful revelers who left their discards behind instead of taking them home for proper recycling or disposal. This shameless act by irresponsible park visitors shows an utter disregard for our environmental laws and for the health and well-being of others,” said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.  "Notwithstanding the anti-littering signage put up by the park authorities, some uncaring visitors still chose to litter."

"While critical of litterbugs, the EcoWaste Coalition cited the efforts of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) to keep Rizal Park spic-and-span by assigning personnel who swept the huge area clean round-the-clock and for providing receptacles for biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable waste materials.  However, we found the discarded materials on the receptacles not properly segregated and there were just too many single-use disposable plastics," he said  

“The heaps of trash in Rizal Park, as well as in the streets of Metro Manila, following the boisterous revelry make a mockery of the Zero Waste Month that is observed every January. The smelly and unsightly garbage piles on the streets are a stark reminder of the need for heightened action to instill environmental responsibility among our citizens and to combat wastefulness, including veering away from the manufacturing, consumption and disposal of short-lived, throw-away products and packaging materials,” Benosa added.