FRESH VIEWPOINTS: A NEW PERSPECTIVE
By Brian James Lu
Amid the elections in the United States and policy debates, a pressing issue that may not receive as much attention as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the growing global concern over plastic pollution.
Plastics have revolutionized modern life, offering convenience, durability, and affordability. However, this very adaptability has led to severe environmental and health consequences. The crisis level of plastic pollution today has prompted the creation of the Global Plastic Treaty, an international effort to control and ultimately eliminate plastic waste.
Countries worldwide are grappling with an escalating plastic crisis, and there is an urgent need to address its environmental, health, and economic impacts. Unlike many political issues, plastic pollution is universal; it crosses borders and affects communities everywhere. Plastic waste endangers marine life, contaminates food and water sources, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), and environmental advocates are uniting in calls for stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal.
The Global Plastic Treaty, with its fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee scheduled for Nov. 25 to Dec. 1, 2024, in Busan, South Korea, represents a hopeful step toward international cooperation. This growing consensus reflects a shift in global priorities, recognizing that tackling plastic pollution is essential for safeguarding ecosystems, human health, and climate stability.
The statistics on plastic use are staggering. The UN Environment Program reports that the world purchases one million plastic drinking bottles every minute and uses 500 billion single-use plastic bags annually. This level of consumption is a global challenge, as plastics contain harmful chemicals that seep into food, water, and the environment. These chemicals linked to hormone disruption, cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental disorders, putting those who ingest or come into contact with contaminated food or water at risk of serious long-term health issues. Researchers have even found microplastics—tiny fragments resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items—in human tissues, blood, and placentas. These microscopic pollutants can travel through the human body, potentially causing inflammation, organ damage, and chronic illnesses.
The Philippines ranks as the world’s third-largest contributor to plastic waste, following China and Indonesia, according to a 2015 study. The country generated an estimated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste that year, with Our World in Data reporting that the Philippines accounted for 36.38 percent of global plastic waste emitted to oceans in 2019. This is significantly higher than India, the second-largest ocean plastic polluter, which contributed about 12.92 percent that year. Marine ecosystems bear the brunt of this pollution, as evidenced by the 2017 observation by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. He highlighted the Philippines’ plastic pollution problem, posting a photo of a beach near Manila covered in disposable plastic waste. DiCaprio’s statement that the Philippines is the third biggest source of ocean plastic pollution could have served as a stark reminder of the severity of the issue.
The “tingi,” or retail economy, which sells goods in small, affordable quantities, is a major contributor to plastic waste in the Philippines. This system, which caters to a population with limited purchasing power, enables consumers to buy items like shampoo, cooking oil, condiments, and even single servings of food in tiny, individually packaged sachets. While this practice makes essential products more accessible, it also leads to a massive proliferation of single-use plastics that are difficult to recycle and often end up polluting rivers, coastlines, and urban areas. With millions of these sachets and packets used daily, the cumulative waste places a significant burden on the environment. Local governments and environmental advocates are increasingly concerned about the impacts of this packaging-heavy economy and are working to encourage more sustainable alternatives. However, the “tingi” system remains deeply ingrained in the country’s retail and consumer culture, making change challenging.
Approximately 300 local government units (LGUs) in the country have enacted ordinances to regulate plastic use, reflecting growing awareness of plastic pollution’s impact. However, effective implementation of these regulations remains challenging, particularly in wet markets where plastic use is pervasive. In these markets, vendors often use two layers of plastic bags to package items like fish and meat to prevent leaks, which significantly increases plastic waste.
Despite existing ordinances, a lack of strict enforcement allows these habits to continue largely unchecked, undermining efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Stricter enforcement measures, coupled with increased awareness among vendors and consumers, are essential to curtailing unnecessary plastic use. By prioritizing sustainable alternatives and closely monitoring adherence to these regulations, LGUs can make meaningful progress in reducing plastic waste and fostering environmental responsibility across communities.
A 2022 study by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) highlights the serious threats posed by microplastics and plastics to food security, the environment, and public health. The research team sampled 240 mussels across eight study sites, including the wet market in Marikina, the fish port in Navotas, the fish landing center in Bacoor, the riverside in Obando, and aquaculture farms in Antique, Baybay, Macaleon, and Bicol. Alarmingly, 100 percent of the mussel samples tested positive for microplastics. These findings underscore the pervasive presence of plastic pollution in the country’s aquatic ecosystems and highlight the urgent need for measures to mitigate its impact on food sources and public health.
The Philippines is among the 170 countries that have signed the Global Plastic Treaty, marking a significant step toward addressing plastic pollution on an international scale. By supporting global efforts to reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and promote sustainable alternatives, the Philippines has aligned itself with international standards. However, to truly realize its commitment to this treaty, the Philippine government must take bold, decisive action to combat the severe plastic pollution affecting its land and waters.
The government should allocate resources to boost waste collection and recycling infrastructure across the archipelago, particularly in underserved regions where plastic waste often ends up in rivers, seas, and coastal areas.
By strengthening partnerships with local government units (LGUs), the national government can enforce existing plastic ordinances more effectively, especially in high-use areas like wet markets. Finally, investing in large-scale education campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of plastic waste would empower citizens to reduce plastic use and support sustainable alternatives. Only through these robust measures can our country fully honor its commitment to the Global Plastic Treaty and make meaningful progress in tackling its plastic pollution crisis.
