A British Take on Philippine Coastal Conservation Efforts
- imogenmorgan.im
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 20
A Workplace coastal cleanup initiative action against local problem of plastic pollution in the Philippines.
Our Beach Clean-Up Effort
On a recent Sunday morning, the Philippine branch of the Workplace solutions team participated in a coastal clean-up at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
This protected area is located along the coast from Metro Manila the capital city of the Philippines. It has mudflats surrounding mangrove areas which serve as a source of food for about 5,000 birds per day.
Up to 80 bird species, including vulnerable ones like the Philippine duck and Chinese egret rely on this area, the reserve also lies on the migratory path of 29 other bird species, its ecological significance has meant its preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
It is a critical habitat for threatened species; the exploitation and destruction of this environment is detrimental to the survival of these species.
Due to its proximity to the city and associated pollution, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued a mandamus order for the cleanup and rehabilitation of the area to preserve Manila Bay and restore its waters to Class B sea water, so it can be fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of recreation.
The Alarming Scale of Plastic Pollution at the clean-up from a UK perspective
The plastic pollution encountered during the clean-up was more severe than anticipated.
Visiting our Manila office from the UK offers a poignant perspective on our collective responsibility to combat plastic pollution, highlighting the stark contrast between the UK's relatively controlled waste management systems and the Philippines' ongoing challenges with inadequate infrastructure and high consumption rates of single-use plastics
I was afforded real clarity on plastic pollution I’ve never had before. I got to see how a country with more diverse and ecologically significant landscapes is also being cripplingly affected by plastic pollution, and the difference was dramatic!
I was stood on a beautiful beach overlooking the capital city, surrounded by mangroves and bamboo forests while inches deep waves of plastic washed up on shore. I saw plastic from every stage of industry, it just showed how every person, company and government hold a responsibility to stop the pathway of plastic getting from our hands to these beaches.
"By the time I was done collecting single-use plastic litter from a portion of the beach, I'd turn around and the same amount would have washed back up on shore."
Statistics
The Philippines is the world's largest contributor to ocean plastic waste, contributing 36% of the world’s total ocean plastic waste, impacting not only its own shores but also international waters and ecosystems.
A staggering 20% of the 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste is generated annually enters the ocean.
Philippines produces nearly 3 times more than the second closest country.
7 of the world's top 10 plastic-polluting rivers are in the Philippines, the Pasig River alone dumping almost 63,000 tones of plastic waste into Manila Bay each year. pna.gov.ph
A significant factor contributing to this issue is the widespread use of single-use plastics. The Philippines is a ‘sachet economy’, with over 164 million single use sachets used from food to toiletries consumed daily, also 48 million shopping bags and 45 million thin plastic films bags used daily, the scale of disposable plastic consumption is staggering.
The reason why the Philippines has high levels of plastic on its beaches?
The archipelagic nature of the Philippines with over 7,600 islands and extensive coastlines makes it both a beautiful site for tourism, and also an especially vulnerable country to plastic pollution. So many beaches and coastal areas means there is more area for plastic to wash up, and more vulnerable landscapes threatened.
Addressing the Root Causes
The plastic pollution crisis in the Philippines is driven by several factors:
High reliance on single-use plastics: The convenience and affordability of products packaged in sachets make them popular among consumers, especially in low-income communities.greenpeace.org+5evergreenlabs.org+5rappler.com+5
Inadequate waste management infrastructure: Many areas lack proper facilities for waste collection and recycling, leading to improper disposal and accumulation of plastic waste.
Geographical challenges: The archipelagic nature of the Philippines, with over 7,600 islands, complicates waste management efforts and facilitates the spread of plastic waste across the country.
Steps Toward a Sustainable Future
Efforts to combat plastic pollution in the Philippines encompass various strategies:
Policy reforms: Implementing stricter regulations on single-use plastics to reduce consumption and promote alternatives.
Enhanced waste management: Improving recycling programs and establishing sustainable materials management practices to minimize waste generation.
Promotion of a circular economy: Encouraging sustainable production and consumption patterns to reduce plastic pollution.
Community-led initiatives: Programs like the rice-for-trash initiative in Mabini, Batangas, where residents exchange collected trash for rice, play a vital role in removing plastic waste from the environment and raising public awareness. reuters.com
Education and awareness campaigns: Informing the public about the environmental impact of plastic pollution and encouraging responsible consumption habits.
Collaboration among stakeholders: Coordinated efforts between governments, the private sector, NGOs, and communities are essential to develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions, such as the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combatting Marine Debris.
Sources
Check out our coastal clean-up video below . It was a great team effort!
