‘Ayoko ng Plastic’: Marc Nelson shares planet-saving tips for #EarthDay
MANILA, Philippines — According to a recent The STAR report, the Philippines is the third largest contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans, based on a 2015 report on plastic pollution by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment.
Thus, in time for the country’s Earth Day celebration, TV host, athlete and eco warrior Marc Nelson recently shared some planet-saving tips one can follow in everyday life.
“The big problem now is plastic,” declared Nelson, ambassador for non-government environmental organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.
“WWF has a campaign now called ‘Ayoko ng Plastic.’ We really want people to stop using single-use plastics. Plastic is an important product that can be used for several things. If it’s being used for over and over again, that’s okay. But single use, we really try to eliminate because it has no use,” Marc explained during his recent launch as new brand ambassador of Landlite Philippines Corporation, a leading distributor of lighting fixtures and solutions in the country.
As the world becomes more conscious about the environment particularly in the reduction of waste and the promotion of recycling, lighting products are also responding to this call. Among Marc’s choices is The Hook portable eco-lamp, designed by OiKo Design Office for Faro Barcelona, which has been optimized for all stages of its life cycle to reduce the product’s environmental impact from 30 to 70 percent. Free of harmful PVC, a harmful material present in most wires and plugs, the housings of the eco-lamp are also reportedly made entirely of recycled plastic.
According to Marc, people use a plastic product for only seven to 14 minutes on the average.
“But it lasts within our ecosystem for hundreds of years before it breaks down!” he warned.
“Even if we break it down into microplastics, it will just trickle down to the lowest part of our food chain. Krill and plankton will be eating it, and it travels all the way up. If you’re eating seafood, there’s a good chance that you’re eating plastic.”
Thus, his advice to minimize single-use plastics is to maximize the resources you already have.
"So, the next time you have an opportunity, if someone offers you a straw, a plastic bag, a plastic cup, just say, ‘No!’ Honestly, we’re a country that’s good at ‘kamayan.’ If you can eat with your hands, bring your cup, bring your own metal straw, bring your own shopping bag. It doesn’t take a lot of effort!” — Videos by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Related video: Aklan resort owner Marc Nelson reacts to Boracay rehabilitation
