Legarda Encourages Everyone to Adopt Zero-Waste Lifestyle

Senator Loren Legarda encouraged everyone to start a zero-waste lifestyle, especially avoiding the use of plastics, as we all welcome a new year.

“Let us welcome the new year with a resolve to be better citizens of the Earth by adopting an eco-friendly, zero-waste lifestyle,” said Legarda.

“A zero-waste lifestyle means using products that can be reused and promoting processes that avoid or eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste. It means creating little to no waste. It is veering away from the throwaway culture by reusing, reducing and recycling,” she explained.

Legarda said that the shift to zero-waste lifestyle may not be easy, but with the start of a new year, people can definitely add this to their resolutions.

She also emphasized the role of government in encouraging and assisting citizens towards this kind of lifestyle change which is good for both the environment and the people.

Legarda believes that the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Law, which she authored, and the passing of her proposed Senate Bill 1948, or the Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2018, would ease the transition to a zero-waste lifestyle.

The ESWM Law implements a system of solid waste management that includes segregation of garbage at its source, segregated transportation, processing, treatment, and proper disposal of solid waste.

Meanwhile, the proposed “Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2018” aims to provide a solution to the single-use plastics problem by prohibiting the importation and use of single-use plastics in establishments, stores, markets, and retailers. It encourages consumers to use reusable materials and incentivizes businesses and individuals engaged in the manufacture of plastic alternatives.

“As we encourage citizens and households to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, we urge local government units (LGUs) to fully implement the ESWM Law, which, together with other environmental laws, will help build clean, healthy, safe and resilient communities,” said Legarda concluded.