EcoWaste Coalition calls out use of ‘wasteful’ plastics during fiestas

Zero-waste advocates EcoWaste Coalition described the use of plastic “labo” or bunting and single-use plastic materials as fiesta banderitas as “wasteful” while making an appeal to church and community leaders to change the practice.

According to a statement on Monday, the coalition pointed out the wastefulness of this prevailing practice, which is often the case in many communities celebrating fiestas or religious events.

“Buntings made of plastic ‘labo’ and other single-use plastics go straight to garbage disposal sites after the festivities… We question the continued use of disposable banderitas in faith-inspired festivities, which only add to the perennial garbage woes facing our communities,” said zero-waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino.

“We appeal to our community leaders to go against the tide and forgo the hanging of single-use plastic banderitas, which is not in tune with ongoing efforts to end plastic pollution, a planetary threat to public health and the environment,” she added.

EcoWaste Coalition linked the effects of using disposable plastic banderitas to pervasive pollution, and that using plastic-based disposable buntings did not adhere to the resolution to “eradicate plastic pollution” made by the 128th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“In response to the call for ecological conversion, we appeal to our churches and communities to do away with single-use plastic fiesta banderitas and other wasteful disposables, and make the protection of the environment and people central to our faith-rooted celebrations,” the EcoWaste Coalition said.

Earlier, the EcoWaste Coalition also spoke out against “out-of-control” littering amid the Feast of Jesus Nazareno and reminded the public that littering plastic contributed to pollution of soil, water, and air.
—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News