Parañaque bans single-use plastic

MANILA, Philippines — Starting in June, the Parañaque City government will prohibit establishments from using single-use plastic for all dry goods.

Parañaque followed Makati, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Pasay and Quezon City in banning or regulating single-use plastics.

Boy Mojica of the city environment and natural resources office said yesterday Ordinance 18-40 will help alleviate the problem of plastic always ending up in drainages, waterways and rivers.

The ban covers plastic bags, straws, spoons and forks, cups and stirrers as well as polystyrene plates, cups, bowls and serving trays.

“No business establishment such as shops, restaurants, hotels, fast food chains, bars, food stalls, mobile food carts, food caterings and other establishments shall use styrofoam, plastic bags and single-use plastics containers including plastic straws and stirrers for their food and beverages,” the ordinance read.

Under the measure, only manufacturers in the city will be allowed to use such plastics for packaging, but supermarkets and public market vendors will be asked to use biodegradable plastic.

Violators will be fined P5,000 for every offense. On the third offense, violators will be shut down and their business license revoked for one year.