#Buhayilog: How to revive Asia’s rivers
PROJECT ASEANO, an international initiative to combat river waste, commissioned several studies to trace the sources of plastic pollution in the Imus River in Cavite, a rapidlygrowing province south of Manila in the Philippines. Among the contributors of plastic waste are Food Service Enterprises (FSES) like restaurants, plus households, which generate enormous amounts of garbage, especially from disposable sando-bags and sachets.
Sachet Culture
SACHETS are most commonly sold in sari-sari stores, ubiquitous Filipino neighborhood stores which sell repacked goods ranging from rice to cigarettes. “Sari-sari stores sell what regular people can easily afford from a day’s wage,” shares Amy Demetillo, a sari-sari store owner from Dasmariñas. “Families can easily budget the available finances of their households because they buy only what they need, even if it’s just enough to cook a single meal.”
Though they generate significant amounts of waste, sari-sari stores help improve the lives of regular people, even becoming a lifeline for those who make next to nothing.
“Sachet culture is ingrained not just in the Philippines, but in many impoverished communities around the world, particularly in developing countries. We can’t just ban them, so a better solution might be to shift to biodegradable sachet packaging,” recommends Dr. Edwin Lineses of Dlsu-dasmariñas.
Another waste contributor is the Food Service Industry (FSI), whose kiosks and restaurants generate enormous amounts of garbage. Good thing many establishments are doing their part to minimize in-store waste. “We only give straws to our drive-through customers,” shares Lodde Navarro, who works for an international fast-food chain. “Dinein customers are given metal utensils, plus durable plastic plates and cups. We
also ask those who order take-out meals if they really need disposable utensils. These small steps help reduce our contribution of plastic waste.”
Tackling plastic pollution
PARTNERSHIPS in Environmental Management of the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), which is implementing Project ASEANO in the Philippines and Indonesia, is tackling plastic pollution through an integrated plastic waste management approach which combines the use of science to adjust policies, adopt suitable technologies and build local capacity to monitor and manage waste.
The Philippine component of the project centers on the Imus River Watershed, one of six river systems in Cavite. The Imus River itself begins in the uplands of Tagaytay and Silang and passes through some of Cavite’s most densely-populated hubs, including Dasmariñas, Imus, Kawit and Bacoor, before discharging its contents into Manila Bay.
Project ASEANO launched #Buhayilog (Filipino for Life Beside a River), an interactive map of the Imus River which
shows the various natural elements, challenges and solutions needed by both the public and governments to better understand how to manage Asia's rivers.
The map creatively explains real-world challenges like sedimentation and pollution, highlights solutions like deploying trash booms and conducting regular river cleanups, and points readers to an array of downloadable studies from social scientists, economists and environmental analysts.
“There are so many practical solutions to address the global challenge of plastic waste. Solutions can range from empowering often-ignored players like basureros and junkshops, to educating the next generation to be mindful of the waste they generate,” says PEMSEA executive director Aimee Gonzales.
Project ASEANO has been working closely with public and private sector allies to unlock the keys to reviving Asia’s rivers.
“The project’s studies can help various sectors enhance their sense of social responsibility and be partners in addressing plastic pollution in other major rivers and tributaries,” notes Cavite PGENRO