Manila:Western Visayas The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Western Visayas is advocating for enhanced local ordinances and established disposal systems for electronic waste. This follows the collection of 188 discarded e-cigarettes during the International Coastal Cleanup.

According to Philippines News Agency, the cleanup on September 19 resulted in the collection of 110 e-cigarettes in coastal barangays in Capiz, 30 in Iloilo, and 26 in Guimaras. The DENR-Western Visayas emphasized the necessity for proper disposal of e-cigarettes and other electronic waste due to their potential environmental hazards.

Ramar Niel Pascua, the officer-in-charge Regional Executive Director of DENR-Western Visayas, stated that improper waste disposal poses significant risks to marine life, advocating for stronger local ordinances and dedicated disposal systems. Environmental advocates warn that e-cigarettes contain single-use plastics, heavy metals, lithium-ion batteries, nicotine salts, and residual e-liquid, all of which can harm marine ecosystems.

Pascua urged e-cigarette users to ensure responsible disposal, highlighting the importance of maintaining ocean health to support community well-being.

The coastal cleanup across Western Visayas involved over 5,000 participants and collected 11,322.585 kg of waste, filling 1,401 sacks. Plastic beverage bottles were the most frequently found item, with 13,274 collected, followed by 10,211 food wrappers and 9,957 cigarette butts. Significant quantities of plastic bottles were collected in Oton, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Capiz, while the highest number of food wrappers was found in Barangay Sua, Iloilo. Cigarette butts were predominantly collected at beaches and ports in Aklan, Antique, and Capiz.