In observance of National Zero Waste Month, Senator Loren Legarda once again urged Filipinos to embrace recyclable materials and support more sustainable waste management practices.

“The Philippines has been tagged as one of the top ocean polluters worldwide, primarily due to our dependence on single-use plastics,” said Legarda, who authored and sponsored the Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

“It is time to break free from this harmful practice by harnessing our ingenuity and resourcefulness to develop and promote reusable alternatives in our daily lives,” she added.

Since the late President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 760 in 2014, National Zero Waste Month has been observed every January. The proclamation calls on government agencies to get involved in initiatives related to the month-long celebration.

“I urge all government agencies to take the lead in finding innovative ways to reuse everyday products and reduce waste,” Legarda said.

“By effectively implementing these changes, we can reach our goal of transitioning to a circular economy by 2030,” she continued.

A long-time advocate for environmental protection, Legarda has consistently pushed for the full implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The law prohibits open burning of waste, mandates waste segregation at source, and supports local governments in creating effective waste management programs.