Plastic, Styrofoam ban up in Subic Freeport
Starting June 30, retail establishments inside the free port will be prohibited from using plastic bags and Styrofoam as packaging materials.
The move is in line with the thrust of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to reduce, if not eliminate, the use of plastic bags as part of efforts to protect public health and welfare, as well as the local environment and wildlife, SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia said.
Asked how retailers were reacting to the ban’s implementation, Garcia said: “It will be inconvenient at the start so they are concerned about the [impact on] their operations and possible complaints from their customers. But other cities have done this so it should be no problem.”
Business owners are concerned but are willing to cooperate, he added.
In a statement, Garcia said the agency was mandated to conserve and protect the environment of the Subic port and its surrounding communities. Subic is among the few remaining areas in the country where rainforests can be found, he noted.
The SBMA solid waste management division collects almost 35 tons of garbage every day. Of these, 15 percent or 6.5 tons are plastic and Styrofoam, which are mostly used as packaging materials.
“Those that are not collected usually end up clogging canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways, thus posing a significant source of marine debris. These are hazardous to marine animals and birds,” Garcia said.
“From an overall environmental and economic perspective, the best thing the SBMA can do is to require retail establishments to refrain from using plastic bags and Styrofoam, and shift to reusable nonplastic carry-out bags or biodegradable materials,” he added.
Restaurant, canteen and food kiosk operators who attended a consultation and forum organized by the SBMA ecology center supported the plastic ban policy but expressed concern over the availability of alternative packaging materials.
“We need some time to find other alternatives materials to replace our plastic cups, bags and Styrofoam,” said Kristy Dizon of Ed-Beng Kiosk.
Imee Lacbain Alejo, the principal of the College of Subic Montessori, asked the SBMA to invite producers of alternative packaging materials to conduct product exhibits so the business owners would be apprised of available environment-friendly products.
Liway Santiago of Pideli Cafe urged fast-food and kiosk operators to advocate the proper disposal of plastics while alternative materials are not yet available.
During the consultation, Amethya Koval, head of the ecology center, said business establishments and retailers would be given a grace period of six months or until December to fully comply with the ban.
