DATE: June 28th, 2023

TO: The Congress of The Philippines

From: Tyler R. Flowers

Subject: Waste Management

Action Required: Restructuring of Waste Management Methods

Distribution List: Congress of The Philippines, President Bongbong Marcos

Right now, the Philippines is the leading contributor of ocean waste in the world, being
responsible for 36.4% of the plastic that makes its way into the ocean. When you take into
consideration that the Philippines has less than 2% of the world's population, this number
becomes something to worry about. I am writing this memo to show some solutions I have
produced that will help lower the amount of plastic being used, as well as lower the waste
making its way into the ocean, all with ways of funding provided.

Summary
In the last century, ocean waters have increased in temperature by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit, they
have already started losing islands due to rising sea levels, and coral reefs are being destroyed
due to ocean acidification. We are headed down the wrong road. While we still have a chance to
repair our oceans, if nothing is done, we will eventually reach a spot where nothing can be done.
I have included some images below that show what poor waste management does to the
oceans.

In the last century, our oceans have taken a toll. This is due to unregulated waste management,
pollution, and ocean acidification. If nothing is done to repair and maintain our oceans we will
see the extinction of many species, global warming, the end of coral reefs, rising sea levels, and
eventually we will reach a point where we are unable to go back. It is important that we take
care of our home today, so that generations to come will be able to live in a world with clean
oceans, coral reefs, diverse sea life, and grow up without seeing former metropolises
underwater and uninhabitable. We can ensure a better life for years to come if we all work
together in this. Through passing legislation that promotes taking care of our oceans and
responsible recycling we will be able to lower the amount of waste we put into our oceans and
start the process of repairing them.

Closing Statements
I would like to say I appreciate the time you have taken reading this memo, I have come to you
seeking no monetary gain or other profit. I am looking to do my part in helping the world we live
in continue to improve. I hope that you see the information given to you as a starting place for
how to correctly go about fixing the waste management problem in the Philippines and have not
meant anything stated in this memo disrespectfully. I understand that it is not only the
Philippines that needs to address this issue and am not blaming the Philippines for the current
situation we are dealing with. I think that this will take everyone working together to truly fix the
problem and want to address the issue directly, with solutions, to many different contributing
parties. Out of them all, the Philippines could change the most regarding saving our oceans. I
hope you consider what I said and move forward with a plan for better waste management. As I
said before, I appreciate the time you took to read this memo and look forward to the future
endeavors that the Philippines will take to help the world's oceans.

Recommendations
There are many ways to tackle productive and efficient waste management, but I feel that the
processes I am proposing will be most efficient for the Philippines.
First, I would suggest you implement a system that pays citizens a small amount for every can
that is recycled. This can be reimbursed to the government through taxes placed on every
plastic/aluminum can or good that is sold within the Philippines. This would give people an
incentive to recycle their own waste and others'. It would be beneficial to start creating habits
within your general population that will help work towards the goal of moving the Philippines out
of the number one spot for polluting the oceans.

Second, I would say to put a general tax on everything sold that could end up in the ocean. This
could include water bottles, cans, trash bags, anything plastic, etc. Doing this would deter
people from buying goods that often end up as ocean waste and would help fund more waste
management programs within the Philippines. Citizens may not be happy about this, but it
would be seen as necessary to combat the problem at hand.

I would also suggest implementing heavy fines on anyone caught littering or dumping waste
into the ocean. This would again fund the government more and deter anyone from conducting
themselves in a way that is negative for the environment.

Finally, I would suggest educating the public about the current situation we are dealing with in
relation to ocean pollution and how to recycle. It would be important to educate people on why
they are doing what they are doing so they understand the cause. If everyone is on the same
page, it will be easier to work together in solving this pressing issue.
References
CondorFerries. “100+ Plastic in the Ocean Statistics & Facts (2020-2021).” Condor Ferries,
www.condorferries.co.uk/plastic-in-the-ocean-
statistics#:~:text=100%25%20of%20baby%20sea%20turtles,their%20way%20into%2
0our%20oceans. Accessed 12 June 2023.

Dianna.parker. “Garbage Patches.” OR&R’s Marine Debris Program, 11 July 2013,

marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html#:~:text=The%20Great%20Pacific%20Garbage%2
0Patch%20is%20in%20the%20Pacific%20Ocean,of%20microplastics%20(by%20cou
nt).

Claire LampenPublished May 21, and Giulia HeywardPublished Jun 12. “New Climate Report
Suggests NYC Could Be under Water Sooner than Predicted.” Gothamist,
gothamist.com/news/new-climate-report-suggests-nyc-could-be-under-water-sooner-than-
predicted. Accessed 12 June 2023.

“Ocean Warming.” Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 3 Aug. 2021,

www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/ocean-topics/climate-weather/ocean-
warming/#:~:text=The%20ocean’s%20surface%20layer%2C%20home,1.5%C2%B0F%2
0since%201901.

Rivers Index A to Z Plastic Pollution Top,

www.oceansplasticleanup.com/Oceans_Seas_Rivers/Index_Rivers_Top_Plastic_Pollution_A_T
o_Z.htm. Accessed 12 June 2023.

Lewis, Andrew, et al. “Marine Life Could Recover by 2050 with the Right Policies, Study
Finds.” Yale E360, 2 Apr. 2020, e360.yale.edu/digest/marine-life-could-recover-by-2050-
with-the-right-policies-study-
finds#:~:text=Marine%20Life%20Could%20Recover%20By%202050%20With%20the
%20Right%20Policies%2C%20Study%20Finds,-
Manu%20San%20Felix&text=Despite%20centuries%20of%20rampant%20overfishing,p
ublished%20in%20the%20journal%20Nature.
“Threats Facing the Oceans and Their Species.” Environment, 3 May 2021,
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ocean-
threats#:~:text=Air%20pollution%20is%20responsible%20for,and%20disrupted%20the
%20ecological%20balance.

“Why Do Oceans and Seas Matter?” UNEP, www.unep.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/why-

do-oceans-and-seas-
matter#:~:text=Oceans%20feed%20us%2C%20regulate%20our,to%20fisheries%20to
%20international%20shipping. Accessed 12 June 2023.

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Can

You Help Our Ocean?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 28 June 2016,
oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html.

Hughes, Author Mariah. “How Long It Takes Everyday Items to Decompose.” The Waste
Management Recycling Blog, 17 June 2022, www.forgerecycling.co.uk/blog/how-long-it-
takes-everyday-items-to-
decompose/#:~:text=Plastic%20can%20take%20anywhere%20from,factors%20such%2
0as%20sunlight%20exposure.

Winter, Kristina. “Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling in New York.” Citizens Campaign
for the Environment, 20 May 2022, www.citizenscampaign.org/whats-new-at-cce/reduce-
waste-and-increase-recycling-in-new-
york2#:~:text=Increase%20recycling%3A%20New%20York’s%20recycling,policy%20ha
ve%20rates%20over%2070%25.