LAWS REQUIRING MANDATORY BIODEGRADEABLE SHOPPING BAGS

LAWS REQUIRING MANDATORY BIODEGRADEABLE SHOPPING BAGS

Gone are the days when shoppers were asked whether they preferred plastic or paper shopping bags at grocery stores. Today, many local government units (LGUs) have already mandated the exclusive use of paper shopping bags, banning plastic ones through local ordinances. This move aims to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainability, and encourage businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices.

While the use of mandatory paper bags is a well-intended environmental initiative, many shoppers have voiced concerns about their durability. Paper bags often fail to hold wet or frozen goods, and they can easily break when carrying heavier items like canned goods. These inconveniences have led to some dissatisfaction among consumers, who feel that the shift to paper bags comes at the cost of practicality.

One possible solution to this issue is for shoppers to bring their own reusable shopping bags made from stronger, eco-friendly materials. The good news is that technology has now made it possible to produce bags that are not only stronger than both paper and plastic but are also organic and biodegradable. These new-generation shopping bags are crafted from natural fibers such as banana or abaca, which are known for their durability and sustainability.

Additionally, even standard paper bags can be reinforced with banana or abaca fibers, making them more resilient while still being biodegradable. If LGUs adopt these improved alternatives, shoppers may no longer face issues with fragile paper bags.

Although LGUs have the power to enforce environmental policies, it is always beneficial to ensure these regulations are consumer friendly. The transition to sustainable alternatives should not create unnecessary difficulties for the public. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. If plastic shopping bags are completely phased out, both businesses and consumers will naturally innovate and seek better, eco-friendly alternatives.

Besides banana and abaca fibers, other natural materials such as coconut leaves, nipa palm leaves, and bamboo strips could also be explored for bag production. The Philippines already has several national laws promoting biodegradable shopping bags. Now, it is up to the LGUs to enact ordinances that complement these national efforts.

Retailers that genuinely care about the environment should not wait for a legal mandate to switch to biodegradable materials. Similarly, environmentally conscious consumers should actively support the banning of plastic shopping bags as part of their contribution to preserving nature.

Countries around the world have already implemented laws requiring businesses to use paper or biodegradable bags in place of plastic. Cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York have led the way in the United States, while states like California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Vermont have also enacted strict bans. Beyond the U.S., countries like Ireland, Australia, and Kenya have successfully implemented nationwide bans on plastic bags, proving that large-scale transitions are both possible and effective.

By embracing these global best practices, the Philippines can further enhance its environmental policies. If more LGUs take proactive steps, and if businesses and consumers alike commit to sustainable choices, the transition to mandatory biodegradable shopping bags can be a smooth and beneficial one for all. The fight against plastic waste requires collective effort, but with innovation and commitment, we can make a real impact on our planet.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

03-26-2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES? When we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, we often assume that the figures we see are accurate reflections of reality. But have we ever paused to ask—how exactly is the crime rate computed? Where does this data come from, and how reliable is it? The computation of the crime rate in the Philippines is officially handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The formula itself is straightforward: Crime Rate = (Total Reported Crimes / Total Population) x 100,000 This simple equation gives us the number of crimes per 100,000 people, allowing for fair comparison across regions and time periods. However, the reality behind these numbers is more complex than it appears. Data from the Ground The foundation of our national crime rate is empirical data collected at the grassroots level—from individual police stations scattered across the country. Every reported crime is logged in local police blotters, forming the buil...
Read more

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS Dear Mr. President: May I ask who is going to be the arbiter or referee whenever there are overlaps in functions between two or more government agencies? I imagine that there would be no problem if these agencies would just cooperate and collaborate with each other, but what if they are unable to settle their differences and they would just end up throwing blame at each other or finger pointing at each other? Allow me to cite some examples. Who is supposed to take the lead in waste to energy projects? Is it supposed to be the DENR that is supposed to handle waste? Or is it supposed to be the DOE that is supposed to handle energy generation? Or is it supposed to be the DILG since it is the one that could direct or influence the waste to energy projects of LGUs? Who is supposed to take the lead in producing and promoting the use of biofuels? Is it supposed to be the DA, since the production of biofuels is supposed to be all about planting biofuel ...
Read more

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES As it is supposed to be, anyone in the Philippines should be able to dial 911, and a telephone operator should be able to dispatch fire, rescue, ambulance and police (FRAP) units as soon as possible, based on acceptable response times. I invented the FRAP acronym for easy recall, and I hope it sticks, if there is no other alternative. Unfortunately, due to a mixture of technical and political reasons, the Philippines has not adopted 911 as a national number, because some LGUs would rather use their own three-digit numbers such as 117 and 168. I actually proposed a technical solution to that problem, but it was not adopted either. For whatever it is worth, my solution is to install a call forwarding system that could route all calls to a central operator, regardless of what number is dialed. It is very sad for me to know that up to now, even if our country is already over one hundred years old, there are still many LGUs that do not have fire trucks. it ...
Read more