Metrowide plastic ban in place by 2013

LOCAL governments in Metro Manila have less than a year to comply fully with the ban on the use of plastics and styrofoam in the packaging and handling of items and food products in all establishments, markets and sari-sari stores, the Metro Manila Development Authority has said.

“I expect next year all the 17 LGUs (16 cities and the lone municipality of Pateros) would implement a similar ban. Right now, after Muntinlupa, Las Pinas followed suit in imposing the ban on plastics. Makati made a similar announcement, though the city’s total ban takes effect next year yet. Similar moves are under way in Taguig and Quezon City,” MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said.

In Las Pinas, he said, “Anti-Plastic Pulis” teams were even deputized to enforce the measure.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said last week they have given a one-year grace period to all business establishments in the city to dispose of their plastic and styrofoam containers and switch to recyclable substitutes.

Besides the LGUs, certain private retail chains have also encouraged the use of reusable “earth bags” in order to do away with plastic bags.

Similar measures are also being proposed in the cities of Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Manila and Valenzuela.

Outside Metro Manila, similar bans are in effect in Antipolo, Rizal, Los Banos and Binan in Laguna, Carmona and Imus in Cavite, Lucban and Infanta in Quezon, Sta. Barbara in Iloilo, Batangas City and Burgos, Pangasinan.

Report from InterAksyon.com