Albay bans use of plastic bags, styrofoam and synthetic material in packaging

LEGAZPI CITY, March 1 (PIA) – Starting June this year, commercial establishments across Albay would be prohibited to use plastic bags, styrofoam and other synthetic materials as packaging materials for goods sold to the public.
The regulation on the use of plastic will be implemented in accordance Provincial Ordinance 2011-3 passed and signed by Albay Governor Joey Salceda last Feb. 21, 2011.

Board Member Arnold Embestro, chairperson of the Committee on Environment of the Sangguninang Panlalawigan of Albay, said the ban on plastic would take effect on June after the local body lifted the one-year moratorium given to commercial establishments in the 15 towns and three cities of the province.

Albay is the first province in Bicol to pass an ordinance banning the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and other synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment.

Under the ordinance, owners of groceries, department stores, supermarkets, chain retailers including sari-sari stores are directed not to use plastic, styrofoam and synthetic materials as packaging or bags for goods sold to customers.

Embestro also appealed to the public to instead use or bring during shopping alternative bags made of paper, cloth, abaca, buri and other recyclable and environment friendly materials.

The ordinance carries a penalty for violators a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 including the cancellation of the business permit.

The local sanggunian and other enforcement agencies already met with owners of various commercial establishments discussing the salient features of the ordinance.

Plastic bags end up as litters that find their way into waterways, river channels, parks, beaches and streets. Once burned, plastics also infuse the air with toxic fumes. These materials are non-biodegradable and can only decompose after about 400 years bringing bad effects to the environment. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)