Environmental group Greenpeace disclosed the medical wastes such as disposable face masks have increased since the pandemic began. Based on a study cited by the group, daily additional medical waste can balloon up to 280 metric tons.
Given the circumstance, Ecowaste Coalition and Greenpeace are now calling for the use of reusable face masks for non-medical use.
“Kung ito ay mapupunta sa mga kalsada, estero, ay pwede itong pagsimulan ng baha. Kung ito ay pumunta sa dagat, mga bodies of water natin, dahil hindi ito natutunaw ay pwede itong mapagkamalan ng mga aquatic species na pagkain nila na pwedeng ikamatay nila (If the wastes go to the streets and waterways, it might cause flooding. If they go to the sea and other bodies of water, these insoluble materials might be mistaken as food by aquatic species which may result in their death),” Aileen Lucero of Ecowaste Coalition said.
Meanwhile, the DENR pointed out that the problem is improper disposal and not the type of face masks. It is also proposing to the IATF to impose sanctions for improper disposal of medical wastes.
“It’s not the problem of facemask or any medical mask. It’s the problem of the people… We will enforce the law in segregation,” DENR USec. Benny Antiporda maintained.
“You protected yourself using facemask, tapos (then) you dispose it just in front of you. Ito iyon na literally, basurang tinapon mo, virus ang babalik sayo (Literally, you dispose waste, the virus gets back to you),” Antiporda added. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
