EcoWaste Coalition calls for post-election community clean-up

“Let the cleanup begin.”

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, on Monday
called on all Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates in the
country’s 42,025 barangays to get rid of their campaign materials
before they degenerate into health and environmental hazards.

Despite the limited campaign period of only 10 days, Barangay and SK
bets spent tons of paper and plastic materials – from leaflets,
stickers, posters, streamers, buntings to sample ballots - to reach
out and win over their grassroots constituents, the EcoWaste Coalition
noted.

“Win or lose, we appeal to poll candidates to start removing all
banners, posters and other campaign materials from around their
communities,” said Roy Alvarez, President, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Sooner or later, these materials will degenerate into health and
environmental hazards, turning into garbage, blocking storm drains or
falling onto innocent motorists or pedestrians,” he said.

The EcoWaste Coalition specifically advised incoming barangay
chairpersons to lead the community cleanup drive.

As the barangay chief executive, the chairperson is mandated under
R.A. 7160, or the Local Government Code, to enforce laws and
regulations pertaining to pollution control and environmental
protection.

Under R.A. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the
chairperson is tasked to head the Barangay Solid Waste Management
Committee, which, among others, is responsible for drawing up and
implementing a waste plan, including the establishment of a materials
recovery facility to promote recycling.

“Please salvage materials that can still be 'repurposed' and do not
just throw or burn them,” Alvarez also said.

Banners and posters made of tarpaulin, for instance, can be sewn into
reusable bags and other functional items such as aprons, stuff
organizers and as containers for common household and workplace
recyclables such as papers, bottles, cans and plastics.

"Repurposing" retrieved campaign discards will bring about real
community benefits, including garbage disposal savings, greenhouse gas
emission cuts, and healthier barangays with reduced trash, the
EcoWaste Coalition said.

“We also appeal to successful bets not to put up ‘thank you’
tarpaulins anymore, which will only add to the post-election garbage
woes,” Alvarez added.

“In lieu of boring and ‘plastic’ signage, please say ‘thank you’ by
organizing street, market or estero cleanup or tree-planting
activities involving your constituents,” he suggested.

Posted in: Community clean-up