Uniting Against Single-Use Plastic in 47th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 1 June 2021 — Big civil society organizations advocating for the phase-out of single-use plastics (SUPs) will gather virtually to discuss the dangerous effects of SUPs on people’s health, the environment, and climate, and assess the proposed Single-use Plastic Products Regulation Bill in the 47th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic, “Uniting Against Single-Use Plastic.”

The episode will air on Thursday, 3 June 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Froilan Grate, Regional Coordinator of Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and President of Mother Earth Foundation; Atty. Gloria Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines; and Marian Ledesma, anti-Plastic Campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines-Southeast Asia will join the online conversation conceptualized and hosted by three-term Senator, now House Deputy Speaker and Antique representative Loren Legarda.

This episode will discuss plastic-free alternatives in local enterprises and alternative delivery systems and reuse solutions.

The Philippines is known for its rich marine ecosystems but is also one of the major sources of plastic trash in the world, contributing almost three million metric tons of plastic wastes and 500,000 metric tons of plastic waste leakage per year.

Plastic production and incineration use petrochemicals from fossil fuel and thus contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change.

According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Filipinos use 59.7 billion pieces of sachets, 17.5 billion pieces of shopping bags, 16.5 billion pieces of plastic labo bag, and 1.1 billion diapers yearly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has even magnified the problem of single-use plastics as people aim to minimize contamination and further spread of the virus. This has led to utilizing easily disposable items, such as those used for food and other deliveries.

The upcoming episode will focus on non-government organizations that have worked across communities to address the problems caused by plastic pollution, and are calling for the immediate passage of the Single-use Plastic Products Regulation bill.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###