Banning plastic bags in the Philippines
By ohsodianne
@ohsodianne (433)
Philippines
April 22, 2011 10:52pm CST
I read on a friend's facebook link that Loren Legarda proposed a total plastic bag ban in the country in order to reduce the pollution. According to the article, plastic bags were one of the reasons why the effects of the typhoon Ondoy were worsened. Aside from this, plastic bags also cause some species of marine animals to die. The senate bill proposes to ban all non-biodegradable plastic bag use in groceries, supermarkets, public markets, fast foods, restaurants and other establishments.
However, my question is, will it be possible?
I once read an article where France imposed the same law. Even though the bill has been passed a long time ago, a lot of people still don't know about it. Banning plastic bags is a actually something that I would support. I actually even try to reduce my use of plastics, (which by the way is proving to be harder than it seems) However, I just think that it would not be possible to totally ban plastic bags. Maybe it will be able to reduce the use of plastics but not totally ban them. On the contrary, declaring TOTAL plastic bag ban may be better than REDUCING the use of plastics as it may be able to create more impact compared to reducing, which we have been unsuccessful with so far.
Plastics are almost non-degradable materials. They take millions of years to degrade. As a result, they just pile up and pile up, unused and hence adding to waste management problems. Burning them would be of no help since it would only cause more damage than good.
If ever there is a plastic bag ban in your country, would you abide by the law? Do you think it will be possible? Keep me posted.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
24 Apr 11
well i find it interesting but really not feasible. I suggest is to just recycle plastic and ban companies that don't use recycled plastic materials.
Banning plastic bags altogether is really hard because there is really no good alternative for it. Paper bags break easily, straw bags is much more expensive to reproduce.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
24 Apr 11
didn't know about biodegradable plastics unless they increase the cost companies won't get it. Recycling what we already have is more feasible i guess.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
24 Apr 11
yes, I agree with you. However, I think only NON-biodegradable plastics will be banned. There are already biodegradable plastics that can be used. I was even surprised when I learned that there was already an oxo-degradable plastic.
@tyronie4cash (925)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
This is for our own good, how ever, there's something that can't be carried by paper bags, and something like a food wrap cannot be replaced by paper or something.
but it is good, In Muntinlupa they're not using plastics anymore, whenever you buy something from supermarkets, fastfoods, etc. it will be on paper bags. ^_^
All in all, it's fine by me and think that it's for our own good. :)
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
24 Apr 11
yep, it really is. plastics have been a problem ever since i was young or maybe even before i was born. i think its time that we do something about it. anyway, if paperbags can't carry them, we can still use the biodegradable plastics.
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
23 Apr 11
I am totally against banning things, and I believe people who get behind doing things like that are closed minded selfish individuals who are intolerant of choices and the RIGHTS of others to use products they want to use.
I use plastic bags and I will always use plastic bags. I do not care who tries to ban them, I will not be punished for using something I have the perfect right and choice to use if I wish. I had an incident at a job once where one of the employees tried to make a case to ban the company's use of styrofoam and disposable cups. Seriously, WHAT A JERK, after that, there were so many employees whose MUGS or CUPS from home got used or stolen by other idiot people!! RUDE! I bought my own styrofoam cups after that and proudly displayed them in my office... even if the company wasn't going to provide them, they weren't going to stop me from using them at work.
If anybody ever tries to ban plastic bags here, I will mount a campaign to stop it, and I'll even get plenty of signatures to fight against it. I always say - if YOU don't want to use plastic bags or disposable stuff, then YOU take it upon yourself not to. YOU don't get to tell OTHER people to do the same as you. That is an imposition on other peoples' rights and it is flat out wrong. I have NO issues with other folks who want to use reusable bags. Do it, more power to you, but don't EVER say anything to me about MY choice.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
okay. You kind of scared me a bit there, but I respect your opinion.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I know only of one grocery store in our place which marks Wednesday as a "No plastic bag day." On this day, the store uses paper bags only so if you are going to buy many items and you need a heavy-duty type of bag, you would need to bring your own. I think this will make a great impact on the environment. Other businesses should also follow suit and have their own "No plastic day" too. This can be a very good start. How about banning the production of plastic bags? I think our lawmakers should have a law to this effect.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
oh yes, your suggestion is really really great. besides, it would be easier to monitor and implement. if only there was a way to tell Loren legarda.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I wish other cities would also implement it and not wait for the law itself to be passed. Everyone should try to take part in saving the environment.
@happycaprice (403)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I think this is a very good idea. Our school has implemented a similar law, and so students cannot enter if they bring plastic bags.
I will abide by this law. I'm all for using paperbags and recycling them. I hope that if this will be implemented, all Filipinos be made aware of this and cooperate with the law.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
oh yes. It really is a good law. Hopefully it will be successfully implemented here in the philippines too. in our school, we had a banning of styrofoams, so i hope soon enough it will be proposed too.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
I think that is the best proposal Loren Legarda has proposed.
Yes, that is feasible, if everyone will be thoroughly informed about it. There should be a massive information dissemination about it and should be strictly implemented.
We could go back to using bayongs and banana leaves for our wet products. Or we could bring with us our plastic containers when we buy wet products. We could use newspapers and other biodegradable plastics.
If long time ago, we survived without using those plastics then why can't we , now.
@ohsodianne (433)
• Philippines
23 Apr 11
hmm.. i guess you have a point there mother. if everyone cooperates, we can become successful in eliminating the use of plastic bags. This would really be a good way to help save our environment.
