By Ric Sapnu/PNA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon is vigorously promoting the program that aims to lessen waste products.
EMB launched the Central Luzon Manila Bay Refill Revolution on Monday at the DENR covered court in Barangay Maimpis here to create awareness on the economical way of reusing and recycling plastic materials in local communities.
During the event organized by EMB and the DENR-3 Manila Bay Coordinating Office, local residents brought empty and clean bottles and containers of condiments, toiletries, and other household essentials and these were refilled by the participating companies for half of their actual retail prices in supermarkets.
The participating companies and manufacturers include HAHSY Industries Inc., Froneri (formerly Nestle), Soliman EC, and Jollibee Foods Corporation.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. lamented that the problem on plastic pollution has become worse, bringing negative impact to the natural environment and harm to plants, wildlife and even to the entire human population.
“We have to wage war on plastic. We need to fight plastic pollution and end it once and for all before it’s too late,” Moreno said during the launch, adding that the Refill Revolution is one of DENR’s solutions to the global problem on plastic.
The refilling event, he said, is part of their advocacy to cut back on plastic production and consumption.
EMB Regional Director Lormelyn Claudio said they aim to spark behavioral change toward turning wastes into new resources through a series of refilling events in Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan provinces.
“We need to change our attitude to resolve plastic pollution. Our lifestyle and behavior play a crucial role in solving this problem,” she added.
Claudio explained that every bottle that is refilled will mean one less bottle to be produced.
She said that the concept of a refill station is seen as a viable measure to significantly reduce packaging waste materials without compromising the price or quality of liquid products.
