Sagay city: Sagay City in Negros Occidental has officially enforced a total ban on single-use plastics, marking a significant step towards its goal of achieving a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city government emphasized the need to reduce waste and protect natural resources through the implementation of City Ordinance 2023-015, known as the 'Single-Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance of Sagay.' This ordinance applies to all business establishments, including street vendors, within the city limits.
The ordinance introduces several measures to minimize and eventually eliminate the use of single-use plastics. Starting January 1, 2024, Sagay City initiated 'No Plastic Day' twice a week, observed every Tuesday and Friday. By 2025, the city plans to expand this initiative to three days a week, adding Sunday to the schedule.
From January 1, 2026, Sagay City aims to completely prohibit the use of plastic bags, styrofoam, and other single-use plastics across all establishments. The ordinance encourages the adoption of alternative packaging materials such as woven bags, cloth or paper bags, and other organic options.
The regulations make it unlawful to use plastic bags as primary packaging for dry goods, except for items pre-packaged by manufacturers. Furthermore, plastic bags cannot be used as secondary packaging for wet goods and food items purchased in wet markets.
The ordinance also bans the use of styrofoam and single-use plastics like drinking cups, ice cream cups, stirrers, cutlery, straws, hand gloves, meal box trays, and pastry boxes as containers and service materials for food and beverages.
