By Rowna T. Cruz Tayabas City will ban plastic bags and Styrofoam effective June 1, 2025, to curb its 31-ton daily waste. Penalties apply. (...
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| Tayabas City will ban plastic bags and Styrofoam effective June 1, 2025, to curb its 31-ton daily waste. Penalties apply. (Tayabas Cicro) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon – With 31 metric tons of waste collected daily and plastic pollution on the rise, Tayabas City is taking a firm stand by preparing to fully implement a comprehensive ordinance regulating single-use plastics, effective June 1, 2025. This action, outlined in City Ordinance No. 17-01, signals a clear commitment by the local government to waste management.
Tayabas City currently collects a significant amount of waste, approximately 31 metric tons, daily from residential and commercial areas. Much of this waste, according to city officials, is plastic packaging that ends up in landfills. This increasing waste volume is due to population growth, economic development, more businesses, and changes in consumer habits.
Under the new ordinance, plastic containers and other non-environmentally acceptable packaging materials will be prohibited in Tayabas City. The local government has set clear penalties for non-compliance. First-time offenders will face a P1,000 fine or 40 hours of community service. A second violation will result in a P2,000 fine or 80 hours of community service. A third offense carries a P5,000 fine and/or up to six months of imprisonment.
To aid in this transition, the city encourages residents to follow "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" principles. Residents should use reusable items like woven bags ("balulang") and eco-bags for daily purchases. The directive specifically advises individuals to bring their own containers when buying food, drinks, and other small items.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the city's "BA-BYE PLASTIC NA MGA TAYABASIN MAG-REDUCE, MAG-REUSE, AT MAG-RECYCLE NA!" campaign. This public awareness effort, which has been disseminated through various channels, aims to foster a collective shift towards sustainable practices. It emphasizes that while individual actions may seem small, their combined impact is crucial for protecting Tayabas City's environment and ensuring a healthier community for future generations.
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