Plastic waste topped the list of trash left by visitors in cemeteries nationwide during Undas, according to monitoring by the EcoWaste Coalition. The group observed this in 25 public and private cemeteries from October 31 to November 2. It called for phasing out single-use plastics and better waste enforcement.
In a statement on November 2, the EcoWaste Coalition reported that disposable plastics, including bags, bottles, cups, cutlery, straws, and polystyrene food and beverage containers, were the most common trash left by cemetery visitors. “SUPs, which are principally made of fossil fuels and intended for one-time use, are not easily recycled and contribute significantly to environmental degradation, wreaking havoc in the ecosystems and harming wildlife,” said Ochie Tolentino, campaigner for the EcoWaste Coalition.
“Unknown to many, SUPs contribute to the interconnected planetary crisis of climate emergency, pervasive pollution and biodiversity loss,” he added.
The group monitored 25 public and private cemeteries from October 31 to November 2, including major sites like the Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery. They observed slight improvements in waste management inside cemetery compounds, attributed to more street sweepers, round-the-clock cleanup efforts, and strategic placement of additional bins and signage. However, streets outside crowded cemeteries were heavily strewn with assorted garbage, including food packaging and food waste, particularly on November 1 and the morning of November 2.
For a lasting reduction in Undas trash, the coalition emphasized three steps: the national phase-out of SUPs, effective enforcement of existing local plastic ban ordinances, and strict implementation of Republic Act 9003, or The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, both inside and outside burial grounds. “It is not enough, for example, to scatter bags or bins for mixed waste disposal all over the cemetery,” Tolentino said. “In line with RA 9003, the different waste types should be properly separated to make their reuse and recycling easier, prevent cross-contamination, and cut the amount of residual waste going to the landfills,” he added.