EcoWaste Coalition displayed upcycled items such as Christmas decors made of old fabrics, metal, paper and plastic recyclables to avoid “holi-trash” or holiday trash. Image from EcoWaste Coalition / Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — A waste and pollution watchdog urged the public Saturday to reduce “holi-trash” or holiday trash as it called for reusing and recycling of typical Christmas discards instead of simply throwing them away.
EcoWaste Coalition zero waste campaigner Jove Benosa said that the public is called to consume sustainably as nations face climate emergency and plastic pollution crisis.
“Through sustainable consumption this Christmas and beyond, we contribute to the conservation of our depleting natural resources, reduce the generation of more wastes, and prevent chemical and plastic pollutants from wreaking further damage on the environment, as well as satisfy our needs without depriving others, including the future generations,” Benosa said in a statement.
“Let us celebrate the birth of Child Jesus by reducing what we throw away, preventing pollution, and by sharing our blessings with others,” he added.
The EcoWaste Coalition gave several tips which the public can use to cut back on wastes during the holiday season.
- Compost holiday food waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells and other organics into nutrient rich fertilizer or soil amendment.
- Keep compostables separated from non-biodegradable and recyclable discards.
- Avoid food from spoiling, and spread the Christmas cheer by sharing excess food with the poor, with COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette survivors, and with individuals servicing your neighborhood, including the barangay health workers and “tanod,” security guards, street sweepers, garbage collectors, waste recyclers, etc.
- Save Christmas cards, gift labels, wrappers, bows and ribbons, boxes, and red packets for the next gift giving or store them for school art and craft projects and other uses.
- Reuse empty glass jars as containers for candies and home-made jams and preserves.
- Give used bottles, cans, corrugated boxes and other recyclables to itinerant waste pickers.
- Turn empty cans into do-it-yourself (DIY) alternative noisemakers to usher in the New Year in lieu of dangerous and polluting firecrackers and fireworks
Benosa likewise urged the public to donate to Typhoon Odette Survivors during the holiday season.