Quezon City struggled with solid waste management, primarily comprised of non-recyclable materials. There is also a pressing need to strengthen the city's efforts in response to the global movement to reduce plastic wastes, as well as fulfilling the city’s international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience. 

Through the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), Quezon City's local government will resume full implementation of the city-wide plastic bag ban beginning March 1st, 2021.

The city already implemented the ban in January 2020, but was temporarily lifted in May 2020.

As stated in Mayor Belmonte’s memorandum, all shopping malls, supermarkets, fast food chains, drug stores, and other retailers registered under the Business Permits and Licensing Department should cease the distribution and/or provision of plastic bags to their customers.

The use of brown paper bags in groceries and other retail stores will only be allowed this year. Starting 2022, it will also be prohibited as part of the full implementation of the ordinance.

Further, the city will also be enforcing the ban on the distribution of disposable and single use plastics such as plastic spoon and fork, knives, plastic/ paper cups, plates, plastic/ paper straws, coffee stirrers and other disposable materials and styrofoam, in restaurants and hotels for dine in transactions starting July 1st, 2021.

Hotels, on the other hand, are also not allowed to distribute soap, shampoo, shower gels, liquid soap, conditioners, and other items used for hygienic purposes in sachets and single-use containers.

For food delivery and take away orders, food establishments are also encouraged to adopt a “By-request protocol”, where they ask their customers if they need single-use plastic utensils and condiment sachets before providing it to them.

Businesses who fail to implement the law will be penalized; a fine of P1,000 (around €18.3) for first offense; P3,000 fine (around €55) and revocation of environmental clearance and issuance of cease and desist order by the BPLD for second offense; and a fine of P5,000 (around €91.7) and revocation of the Business Permit and issuance of closure order for the third offense.

The re-implementation of the plastic bag ban is expected to promote sustainable practices in the city.

Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash