Zero Waste Month more than just cleaning up

Zero Waste Month (ZWM) is being observed nationwide in various ways. The event always has a cleanup component which was what the students and faculty of the DepEd Tayo Special Education Center for the Gifted-Kalayaan in East Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), Olongapo City did. They joined the SBMA Ecology Center’s coastal clean-up at the boardwalk area of the SBFZ on 16 January. The center then capped the ZWM celebration with a concert of local bands and performers at the former boardwalk area the following day. People brought recyclable wastes to watch the show and get freebies and giveaways.

In line with the 2025 ZWM theme of “Integrating Sustainability and Circularity into the Informal Waste Sector” and the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Protect the Marine Environment and Coral Reefs” initiatives under the ASEAN development project, the Guimaras Environment and Natural Resources Office sponsored the Occupational Safety and Health Orientation for Waste Workers last 15 January 2025 at the Olivia’s Kitchen, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras. The activity was attended by waste workers of five municipalities with their solid waste management focal person and councilors of pilot barangays, including junkshop owner. Ronnie del Castillo, an OSH practitioner, served as the resource person.

The Young Environmental Advocates of Lingayen, in collaboration with the local government unit of Lingayen through its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, conducted the “Pangamata, Pangusar, tan Pangibiang Segregation as Sustainable Action to Waste Pollution Seminar” at the Pangasinan National High School auditorium on 15 January. The seminar provided informative knowledge that enabled youth leaders and environmentalists to gain deeper understanding and awareness of the importance of proper waste disposal and segregation to preserve and protect the environment for generations to come. Participants also toured the central material recovery facility located in Quibaol, Lingayen.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Balanga, Bataan and the city council distributed 60 pieces of baskets to Kadiwa store patrons on 17 January to wean consumers away from single-use plastics and reduce the volume of trash dumped at the landfill.