21 November 2005
OK, ban plastics, styrofoam but what’s alternative?
A CITY councilor of Dagupan has proposed an ordinance banning the use of plastics and styrofoam as packaging materials by food establishments but failed to present an alternative material to be used by such establishments.
The city council thus deferred discussion on the proposed ordinance until Councilor Nicanor Aquino, the proponent, has presented an alternative to the materials he sought to be banned.
Aquino, chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, contended that plastics and styrofoams are considered non-biodegradable and their composition compounds make these difficult for disposal in dumpsites.
The proposed edict sought that, within six months after its passage, all food establishments, hotels and other similar establishments in the city reduce the use of plastics and other styrofoam packaging materials by at least 75 percent.
If this cannot be avoided, said Aquino, food caterers should exert efforts to impart to their customers the need to recycle the plastic utensils that go with the styrofoam food containers.
Compliance of establishments to the proposed ordinance will be strictly monitored by the city’s waste management division and violators will be fined.
In convincing his colleagues to support the proposed ordinance, Aquino presented video footages taken at the city’s dumpsite which showed that most of the wastes being collected there are plastics and styrofoam.
He said the garbage crisis in Dagupan is being compounded by heaps of plastics and styrofoam being discharged daily into the dumpsite.
Councilor Marie Farah Decano however moved to defer the passage of the proposed ordinance till after Aquino is able to propose an alternative to plastics and styrofoam as food packaging.
She said this is necessary so that existing food establishments and similar establishments will have alternative materials to use in their daily operations. (PNA)
The city council thus deferred discussion on the proposed ordinance until Councilor Nicanor Aquino, the proponent, has presented an alternative to the materials he sought to be banned.
Aquino, chair of the committee on environment and natural resources, contended that plastics and styrofoams are considered non-biodegradable and their composition compounds make these difficult for disposal in dumpsites.
The proposed edict sought that, within six months after its passage, all food establishments, hotels and other similar establishments in the city reduce the use of plastics and other styrofoam packaging materials by at least 75 percent.
If this cannot be avoided, said Aquino, food caterers should exert efforts to impart to their customers the need to recycle the plastic utensils that go with the styrofoam food containers.
Compliance of establishments to the proposed ordinance will be strictly monitored by the city’s waste management division and violators will be fined.
In convincing his colleagues to support the proposed ordinance, Aquino presented video footages taken at the city’s dumpsite which showed that most of the wastes being collected there are plastics and styrofoam.
He said the garbage crisis in Dagupan is being compounded by heaps of plastics and styrofoam being discharged daily into the dumpsite.
Councilor Marie Farah Decano however moved to defer the passage of the proposed ordinance till after Aquino is able to propose an alternative to plastics and styrofoam as food packaging.
She said this is necessary so that existing food establishments and similar establishments will have alternative materials to use in their daily operations. (PNA)
