Limiting plastic output protects the environment

INCOMING Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism to bring development to more communities nationwide.

By P. Y. Deligero

“It is this inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and collaborative tourism governance that I intend to bring to the Department of Tourism,” Garcia-Frasco said during the welcome ceremonies organized by the Department of Tourism staff.

Garcia-Frasco brings with her the perspective of valuing the input of local government units in the crafting of national policy, “considering that the policies that are crafted nationally will be implemented by the local government units on the ground.”

THE United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) annual global event, World Environment Day, focuses this year on a single goal: #BeatPlasticPollution.

Like all other World Environment Day celebrations before, stakeholders from across the globe, from major corporations to governments to private citizens, have come together to implement steps to contribute to environmental protection.

Frasco said the inclusivity of all local government units to the overall tourism plan would help uplift the economic status of municipalities, cities and provinces and the nation as a whole.

“From our experience in Cebu, there is a theoretical notion of the importance of national and local government cooperation. There is the mandated importance by the local government code requiring prior coordination between the national and the local government,” she said.

Coinciding with this year’s theme, the UNEP also released a report titled “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy” to guide stakeholders on embracing a plasticfree, sustainable lifestyle.

Global plastic production and use have grown exponentially since the 1950s, withduction and plastic processing industries. The world currently produces 430 million metric-

Plastic production will triple by 2060 if the global market maintains a business-as-usual tic pollution and proposes a systems changetic pollution instead of its symptoms alone. The systems change encourages countries to turn off the tap in plastic production and end the underlying environmental problem. Its results could bring about lesser numbers of ble jobs for workers in the informal sectors and creating business and job opportunities.

Over the years, the three R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle, are frequent practices in waste management. The UNEP report offers a modernized approach to the model.

For instance, the first shift is to reuse. It encourages the market to accelerate reus-

Corporates...

She underscored the importance of harnessing the marketability of already wellknown tourism sites, “but at the same time, shed light on sites in the Philippines that have not yet had equal opportunity for promotion and product development.” able products to transform the throwaway economy into a reuse society by creating an enabling environment to ensure a more relevant business case for the reuse market than single-use plastics.

She said a multidimensional approach to tourism should not only focus on the country’s natural resources, but also on the development and promotion of people and products.

From D1

Next is to recycle. It ensures a more stable and profitable venture by accelerating plastics recycling while reducing the amount of plastic pollution by an additional 20 percent by 2040. The shift requires adequate feedstock availability for recycling and means recycled materials can compete with virgin resources in the market.

Immediately after assuming office, the new Tourism secretary plans to present plans and programs, so the new leadership can set the direction for the department.

She highlighted the general vision set by the outgoing administration to revitalize the tourism industry and ensure that it is inclusive in the countryside.

It is also part of department’s plans to improve the overall tourist experience, not only to bring back lost tourism numbers, but also to explore potential markets to increase visitor arrivals.

The leadership at the DOT also deems it imperative to develop domestic tourism, considering its vast potential and the opportunities this will give to small businesses and the livelihood it will generate.

“I intend to be a listening Tourism secretary. To listen to the hopes and aspirations of our local government units as far as the development of their respective tourist destinations, and to find a way to make their desires cohesive as well with the overarching desire of the administration of President-elect Marcos to expand countryside development, to further develop our country as a tourism destination, and to give equal opportunities to all,” she said.

Othel V. Campos

Lastly, instead of merely jumping to recycle plastic materials like the traditional model, the UNEP report suggests the third shift in managing plastic waste among industries is to reorient and diversify. This shapes the market to embrace sustainable alternatives and avoid plastic products that could displace impacts instead of reducing them. These sustainable options can reduce pollution by 17 percent by 2040. However, it is not without challenges, as these products may struggle to compete in markets with products made of virgin fossil fuel-based polymers owing to some challenges like product cost, consumer demand and lack of appropriate regulations. Fortifying the reusable market is taking a step ahead of plastic pollution by providing society with more access to sustainable materials instead of single-use products. Although the three R model is not uncommon because of its prominence in environmental bids, UNEP’s updated version allows for a change in the system to address the problem from its roots, thus creating a more long-term solution to #BeatPlasticPollution. Read the full report at https://www.unep. org/resources/turning-off-tap-end-plasticpollution-create-circular-economy.

to expedite actions from governments, companies, and other stakeholders to solve the crisis. Through the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, World Environment Day shows how stakeholders can learn to use plastic more sustainably, hoping to eradicate plastic pollution someday. Côte d’Ivoire is hosting World Environment Day 2023 after setting an example of combatting plastic pollution. The West African country since 2014 has banned plastic bag use and shifted to reusable packaging. The country’s largest city, Abidjan, has also become a hub for environmentally-minded start-ups.

Jean-Luc Assi, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, sees plastic pollution as a “visible threat that impacts every community.” Nonetheless, the country is proud to champion various treatments to offer sustainable solutions.

The Netherlands supports World Environment Day 2023, being one of the nations taking ambitious steps along the plastic lifecycle. The Netherlands is a signatory of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment and a Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter member.

Vivianne Heijnen, Netherlands’ Minister for the Environment, stresses how plastic pollution is detrimental to various aspects and cannot be easily ignored. But thanks to several policies aimed at plastic pollution management, the Netherlands and the European community are fully committed to playing their roles in reducing single-use plastic production and consumption while promoting durable and sustainable alternatives.

Since plastic contamination is a global problem, much as pollution and climate change are, the idea of environmental preservation and protecting the planet appear to be difficult for an individual. But as World Environment Day emphasizes, everyone can play a part in the plastic crisis.

Every day Filipinos know how single-use plastics promote accessibility, but some are already conscious of their environmental impact and are eyeing more sustainable approaches. For instance, major shopping centers and supermarkets in the country are embracing greener initiatives by lessening the use and distribution of single-use plastics by encouraging the use of reusable bags among their consumers. Meanwhile, other brands charge a small fee for plastic bags, while some switched to more biodegradable options. These collaborations spark significant change in society and bring about positive results.

Campaigns like these are not limited to private companies and their establishments, as local governments can implement similar practices. They can introduce local laws, support businesses and encourage sustainable consumer behavior through these advocacies. While some clean-up drives or initiatives inspire Filipinos to take charge of their immediate surroundings and eliminate waste, some cities can build more robust waste management systems. Designating proper disposal bins or areas for plastics is one step in promoting waste segregation and ensuring that a significant chunk of plastic in the environment can undergo recycling.

Local cities can partner with institutions to make alternative packaging more appealing, consumer-friendly and cost-effective than single-use plastics. More progressive communities have already prohibited the public from using other single-use plastics, like straws, cups, and plates.

Another option is to install free public water fountains to encourage their communities to ditch plastic bottles and opt for reusable jugs.

On the other hand, government agencies and public servants can pass legislation that bans environmentally harmful practices, like openly burning waste, which is already in effect in bustling metropolitans.

#BeatPlasticPollution for World Environment Day 2023 marks yet another milestone for the United Nations and its efforts to preserve the Earth and its resources and protect the future of human society. For five decades, it has brought together countries from across the globe to share a common goal of environmental sustainability.