Cigarette butts: Metro Manila’s most littered waste

Based on Anti-Littering Apprehension Report for 2023, there were 12,918 individuals caught littering cigarette butts in the streets of Metro Manila. This represents 97 percent of the approximately 16,334 people captured by the MMDA littering the Metro. (Photo courtesy of MMDA)

MANILA, Philippines — Cigarette butts were at the top of the list of the most commonly thrown trash in the streets of Metro Manila last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday.

Based on the MMDA’s Anti-Littering Apprehension Report for 2023, 12,918 , or 79 percent, out of an estimated 16,334 individuals were caught throwing cigarette butts.

READ: MMDA calls for proper waste disposal

“#2 naman ang papel kung saan 1,524 indibidwal o 9.4% ang nahuling nagtapon,” it said in a Facebook post.

(Paper, on the other hand, ranked second, where 1,524 individuals or 9.4% were caught littering.)

Meanwhile, candy wrappers ranked third among the most commonly thrown trash, with 1,343 individuals, constituting 8.3 percent.

READ: MMDA collects 4,000 bags of garbage during Feast of Black Nazarene

“Ang mga basurang ito ay bumabara sa drainage at daluyang tubig.  Kaya maging responsableng mamamayan at magtapon lamang sa tamang lagayan,” the MMDA reminded.

(These wastes can block drainage and water flow. Therefore, be a responsible citizen and dispose of them in the proper receptacles.)

“Ayon sa MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 o Anti-Littering Law, ang pagtatapon ng kalat o basura sa mga pampublikong lugar ay may multang P500 hanggang P1,000 o mabibigyan ng community service,” it further said.

(According to MMDA Regulation No. 96-009, or the Anti-Littering Law, littering in public places is subject to a fine of P500 to P1,000 or may result in community service.)