INNOVATIONS ON PLASTIC WASTES: A FIGHT FOR A CAUSE

“Plastics of various kinds have long found applications in virtually every corner of
everyday life -- toys, storage containers, electronics and much more.” (Crystal, 2017).
In February 2013, an editorial in the international journal "Nature" called upon scientists
residing in the world's largest producers of plastic to classify it as a hazardous material,
similar to the labeling of chlorofluorocarbons 14 years earlier. Indeed, plastic waste can
harm both humans and the environment in a myriad of ways. And also an estimated 8
million tonnes of plastic is yearly released into the ocean, leading to degradation of
marine habitat which eventually affects aquatic organisms. Long term usage and
exposure of plastics and plastics products to high temperature can lead to leaching of
toxic chemical constituents into food, drinks and water. Indiscriminate disposal of
plastics on land and open air burning can lead to the release of toxic chemicals into the
air causing public health hazards.

When Canadian artist Russell Maier started stuffing non-biodegradable waste into
plastic bottles to create a reusable building block in 2010, little did he know that it would
become the global movement that we know today. Ecobricks, as the stuffed bottles are
called, were "discovered" while he and his friend were experimenting with sand-filled
plastic bottles to make bricks. While gathering sand from the shores of Chico River in
Sabangan, some plastic pieces ended up inside the bottles so they thought of just stuffing
each with pure plastic altogether. Now, eco-friendly establishments like The Circle Hostel
serve as drop-off points for eco-bricks. And also Green Antz Builders, an eco-conscious
construction company based in Plaridel, Bulacan, takes ecobricks to the next level by
making actual bricks from shredded plastic and wet cement. Each brick uses around 100
single-use plastic sachets and is reported to be five times stronger than regular hollow
blocks, and costs less on a per square meter basis. Currently, Green Antz provides
building materials for the construction of homes, schools, and daycare centers in Bulacan,
Cavite, Rizal, and Cebu. The company also just signed a memorandum of agreement to
develop a research and training facility for eco-friendly construction materials in the Clark
Freeport Zone.

While eco-conscious companies are building bricks from shredded plastic, down
south in Siargao, an art studio turns shredded trash into stuffing for pillows and bean
bags. Siargao Recycling Art Studio is one of the projects of Nature Kids of Siargao, a
non-government organization that aims not only to protect nature but also educate kids
about preserving the environment. It was founded by Sanne "Sunny" Sevig, who moved
from Stockholm, Sweden to Siargao in 2012 and immediately fell in love with the island.
Siargao Recycling Art Studio also hosts Pay By Plastic, which lets local community
members swap trash donations for canned food, household items, toys, and school
supplies.
 Other cities and municipalities in the country have taken the initiative to
impose regulations on single-use plastic before we all drown in our own pile of garbage.
Most of Metro Manila cities already have ordinances in place that ban sando bags in the
supermarket or plastic straws in fast-food restaurants. Outside the Metro, more local
government units are following suit. San Fernando City, La Union penalizes anyone who
uses extra plastic when bagging wet goods in the public market while El Nido in Palawan
prohibits bringing any kind of plastic to the islands especially on boat tours.(Dela cruz
2019).

Economic development and people’s changing patterns of consumption and

production have led to a drastic increase in plastic wastes all over the world. Plastic waste
disposal harms the environment and poses threat to human health. Hence, there is great
desire to reduce the plastic wastes. To reduce plastic wastes, education is of utmost
importance as education can change people’s knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward
plastic waste management.

According to an Felt 2019, an environmental Journalist, “Raising awareness about

the detrimental effects of plastic waste is perhaps one of the biggest things we can do.
Considering the amount of plastic rubbish an average consumer produces, it would be
best if every and each one of use invested some time into reusing and recycling.” Even
simple acts such as taking your own bag to carry the groceries is a huge deal when done
consistently. The Kiwis have thought of a great alternative for plastic shopping bags –
Maori woven flax bags are both durable and reusable. Furthermore, when you’re done
with it, you can simply bury it to decompose into the soil.

In conclusion, everyone must do his share in promoting environmental awareness,

such as the campaign of the government on green practices and strictier policies on
offences against nature. It is important that we must do our part to find ways to win the
battle against plastics. We are constantly producing harmful materials yet the solution to
pursue a better world still lies on our hands. We can do change if we work as one,
otherwise it is not only our environment that will be poisoned by plastics but us, too..