Eco group hits tarp war, asks poll bets to be more Earth-friendly

MANILA, Philippines – The pro-environment group EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday lamented the proliferation of tarpaulins bearing the names and messages of candidates in Metro Manila ahead of the campaign period for the midterm elections.

The group also appealed to candidates and their supporters to instead use more environment-friendly propaganda materials, once the official campaign period kicks off.

“Tarpaulins promoting the names of politicians eyeing elective positions have replaced Christmas decorations that used to adorn our streets.  You can see the ubiquitous tarps hanging on electric posts, phone and TV cables, and on trees,” Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition said in a statement.

“The ‘battle of the tarpaulins’ is more obvious in communities that are set to observe the feast of Santo Nino this coming Sunday.  The whole stretch of Jesus Street in Pandacan, Manila, for example, is dotted with tarpaulins of mostly local candidates that are competing for voters’ attention and support,” he added.

EcoWaste Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon, in underscoring the toxicity issues of tarpaulins, pointed out that the tarpaulins, waterproof banners or posters made of synthetic materials, will eventually be burned or disposed after the election period and generate pollution woes.

“Time will come when a tarpaulin has to be removed and disposed of.  Even if reused for other purposes, it will still be thrown away after it has worn out or is no longer needed.  These tarps, sooner or later, will get buried or burned somewhere,” Dizon noted.

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