A solution to the global plastic problem is to push for extended producer responsibility, which places the accountability back to manufacturers which sell products wrapped in single-use plastics.

Responsible manufacturers should experiment with and eventually shift to alternative biodegradable packaging, such as wrappers made from cassava, seaweed, even banana leaves.

Project ASEANO's Food Service Industry (FSI) study highlights proven initiatives to reduce the reliance of both manufacturers and their customers on disposable plastics. Below are just some of the many solutions that manufacturers and FSI players can start:

(1)    Eliminating the provision of single-use plastic straws and stirrers.

(2)    Incentivizing customers to bring refillable containers, as in the case of water refilling stations.

(3)    Asking customers if they truly prefer single-use utensils for their take-out meals.

(4)    Replacing plastic components with recyclable or biodegradable materials like edible straws.

(5)    Making typical single-use products reusable, like durable ice cream tubs, oil cans and milk tea cups.

(6)    Upcycling garbage like used tarpaulins into other products, including bags ang vehicle covers.

(7)    Chemically melting and recycling plastics to avoid adding waste to landfills or incineration facilities.

(8)    In-house waste segregation and garbage sorting. 

(9)    Institutional commitments to long-term sustainability.

 (10)  Supporting research and development initiatives to address plastic waste management.

Project ASEANO's FSI report can be freely downloaded along with other studies on plastic waste reduction in our PUBLICATIONS section.

The Imus River originates from the cool highlands of Tagaytay, Silang and Amadeo at a height of 655 meters above sea level before flowing out to the ocean. It is one of six major river systems that pass through the province of Cavite.

Upland portions are still relatively healthy and well-vegetated, with clear, flowing waters inhabited by introduced guppies (Poecilia reticulata), native talangka or river crabs (Varuna litterata), molluscs and a host of other aquatic denizens.

Project ASEANO found the waters of the Imus River to sit well within DENR Class-C standards, confirming its use for fisheries, recreational and agricultural use.

However, the values of phosphates and total suspended solids exceed critical limits, meaning upland pollution must still be curbed.

Here is a close-up of some guppies swimming in the uplands of Silang. Though they are not native to the Philippines (guppies hail from the rivers of South America), the tiny, colorful fish nonetheless eat mosquito larvae, minimizing the spread of malaria and other vector-borne human diseases.

Avoiding single-use plastics altogether is one of the main solutions to curb the global plastic problem. 

"Homeowners and residents can refuse (single-use) plastics. There are a lot of things that we can buy without needing to accept plastic packaging," shares Dr. Edwin Lineses, a professor from Cavite. 

Homeowners can for instance bring their own tote bags and resealable plastic containers when buying meat or produce at the market.

These habits can further be incentivized by providing residents with a small discount for bringing their own containers.

Shoppers can use resealable hard plastic containers like the ones shown above when buying meat and produce. Retailers and institutions should in turn offer monetary or social incentives to customers who bring their own containers and tote bags. (Unsplash)

To do your part in reducing waste, please remember to bring your own bags and containers when shopping. Little acts of sustainability can eventually turn the tide against plastic.

“I was still in school when I started pawing through old lots, dumps and river banks in a never-ending search for bakal, bote, plastik at dyaryo (scrap metal, bottles, plastic and newspapers). I used a big old sack that weighed so much,” recalls Sherwin Salazar, a basurero or waste picker from Cavite.

Sherwin is now a master of the trade, having been a picker for over 25 years.

“Most Filipinos think pangangalakal is nothing more than a dirty job, but it’s far better than working in other jobs like construction. You become your own boss and control your time so if you put in the hours and effort, you can make a surprising amount of money."

"I’m not ashamed to be called a mangangalakal or basurero. I’m proud of it, because I was able to provide honorably for my family, while putting my children through school. The life of a waste picker is definitely dirty, but if you meet life’s challenges head-on and ask for a little help from above, then it’s really rewarding.”

All sectors are important: the country’s ingenious waste pickers, recyclers and junkshops play a key role in combatting waste.

Supporting waste pickers and recycling facilities converts a significant portion of waste which would otherwise be dumped in landfills or in our rivers and seas, into useful products.

These cottage industries also support the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Filipinos.

“Trash is cash,” explains Arles Gozar, who runs a junkshop in Cavite. “I employ anywhere from nine to 15 people part-time to help pick and pack garbage that waste pickers or mangangalakal bring here.”

Most valuable of all is tanso or copper, sold at PHP355 per kilogramme (KG), followed by sibak or hard plastic (PHP15/KG), bakal or scrap metal (PHP14/KG), yero or corrugated iron sheets (PHP11/KG), bote or plastic bottles (PHP10/KG), lata or tin cans (PHP8/KG) and karton or cardboard (PHP4/KG).

“Many people in this area don’t have jobs. By employing people even part-time, my tiny junkshop helps provide for them and their families. The garbage of others provides a good life for our family – I can even help my relatives from the province when they’re down and out, because we have a little extra.”

Junkshops like Arles’ provide a vital solution in the world’s quest to minimize waste – by recycling, upcycling or otherwise making use of items which would otherwise be bound for landfills and dumpsites, trash is reduced. Less trash means less garbage flowing down rivers whenever a dumpsite floods.

“We’re of course business owners first," concludes Arles. "But in our own small way, we’re doing what we can to help keep our country clean." 

This community-led eco garden in Cavite reuses old vehicle tires, plastic bottles, wrappers and other materials while generating useful income by selling native seedlings. Recycling and upcycling extends the utility of items which would otherwise go to waste. (PRF) 

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), recycling centers and junkshops are part of a concept called a circular economy, where as many items as can be reused again are converted to other usable products, greatly extending their lifespan before finally becoming waste.

“To decisively address plastic waste management, we need to include waste pickers and recyclers as major stakeholders,” adds PEMSEA executive director Aimee Gonzales.

River systems often act as conveyor belts for garbage. Most large rivers and streams cut through densely-populated human communities which generate a lot of trash.

According to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the province of Cavite generated an average of 1514 tons of waste daily in 2018.

The Imus River traverses the highest waste-generating cities of Cavite: Bacoor, Dasmariñas and Imus. Tonnes of garbage emanate from these areas to flow out to Manila Bay.

The river's central segment traverses through parts of Imus, Silang, Dasmariñas and Bacoor, shown here.

Project ASEANO is a repository for integrated plastic waste solutions, particularly for riverside communities.

“Project ASEANO can be a guide for other hubs to improve their existing policies and ordinances on how to combat growing plastic pollution in rivers,” says Cavite PGENRO Anabelle Cayabyab. “The project’s studies can help various sectors enhance their sense of social responsibility and become partners in addressing plastic pollution in other major rivers and tributaries.”

PEMSEA's Project ASEANO team is always looking for opportunities to collaborate. Please feel free to contact ASEANO Project Manager Thomas Bell at TBell@pemsea.org or PEMSEA at info@pemsea.org.

River and coastal cleanups are popular community-wide affairs to manually remove non-biodegradable wastes from Philippine riverways and shores.

Cavite's River Rangers are stalwart examples of groups which tirelessly rid rivers of waste, preventing garbage from flowing out to the sea.

Though one storm or flood can very often leave riverbanks and coastal shores again awash with garbage, community activities such as manual cleanups foster a strong sense of stewardship amongst the citizenry and should always be supported.

Near the coastline lie lowland portions of the Imus River, covering parts of Imus, Kawit and Bacoor.

As can clearly be seen, vegetation changes from fruit-bearing broadleaf and bamboo groves to mangrove thickets inhabited by a wide variety of animals, including white-hued egrets and other waterbirds.

Lowland portions can be comprised of brackish water (a mix of fresh and seawater) and feature distinctive mudflats, which are bolstered and added to each rainy season.

The combination of tangled mangrove roots, shallow mudflats and tidal action means this zone retains much of the garbage flowing down from higher elevations.

Many residents in this zone either fish directly in the river or use it to access the adjacent fishing grounds of Manila Bay.

"This is our trash trap, which helps clean our river. This makes it easy for our River Warriors (waste collectors) to collect floating garbage, which are then hauled off by our garbage trucks. This helps keep our community clean," explains Bacoor Eco-Enforcer Alfonso Ignacio.

Provided that they are regularly maintained, trash traps or floating booms are low-cost and efficient ways to prevent floating garbage from flowing out to the sea.

These solutions can be adopted by riverside communities which generate significant amounts of plastic and organic waste.

"It’s really easy to turn used plastic bottles into bottle bricks,” shares Rhodora Sacramento, a school principal from Cavite.

“Just collect as many empty wrappers of candy or junk food as possible, then cut them into small strips and stuff them tightly inside the used bottles. When full, the bottle bricks can be arranged as fences and pathway guides in our schools and homes.”

"There have been changes in the water and our river system because of a new dumpsite," laments Domingo Ambita, a local official from Cavite. "Unfortunately, the dumpsite is near our source of water, the river. This river used to be inhabited by many types of fish, but most of them are now long gone. We know that the damage is irreversible. It will take a lot of years before we restore the cleanliness of our water."

Dumpsites are necessary to absorb the immense amount of waste generated by human communities. However, great care must be taken to ensure that they do not leach sludge into nearby waterways or worse - contaminate precious groundwater deposits tapped for potable water.

"Now the coliform content of our river is really high, which is why we banned people from swimming in the river. Still, pockets of life remain," concludes Domingo. 

To maintain the water quality of Asian rivers, dumpsites must be located as far away as possible and be managed with utmost care. 

A sea of garbage is what many people can see in Manila Bay, one of the world's most polluted water bodies. For each piece of floating plastic in this picture, many more can be found on the seabed.

Manila Bay brims with islands of garbage, like the one these egrets are picking through. Mostly composed of plastics, rubber and styropor, the islands are an eyesore for human eyes and a danger for plants and animals alike.




Larger plastic sheets can smother corals and plants, while plastics that break down turn into deadly microplastics, which are ingested by fish. Most are too small to see but can be detected using a microscope, such as in this NIVA image. 

Project ASEANO conducted a study on plastic litter in the Imus River and found that:

1) Plastic flux in the Imus River varies between stations and seasons. The movement of macroplastics downstream is influenced by urbanization, along with environmental factors such as elevation, tides, wind, flow velocity, and river curvature.

2) The most commonly found macroplastics (classified by utility) were packaging, bottles, and bags during dry months, and bags and miscellaneous plastics during wet months. The most visible waste, determined by coverage of the river’s surface, was plastic packaging composed of LDPE and HDPE during dry months, and plastic bags mainly composed of HDPE during wet months.

3) Microplastics show an increasing concentration going downstream in both dry and wet months. Microplastic fibers recorded the highest counts, followed by fragments, plus assorted microplastics and microbeads. Microplastics were characterized as PP, PET, HDPE, or miscellaneous through FTIR spectrophotometry.

4) The physico-chemical characteristics of the Imus River are generally within the DENR standards for Class-C classification, intended for fisheries, recreational, and agricultural use. However, the values of phosphates and total suspended solids (TSS) exceeded critical limits.

5) Physico-chemical parameters show no correlation with counts of microplastics and macroplastics except for total dissolved solids (TDS) and water temperature. TDS is positively correlated for both macroplastics and microplastics while water temperature is negatively correlated with microplastics.

Know more about the various types of plastic below. More detailed information is available in our PUBLICATIONS section.

"For generations, the coast of Cavite has been our fishing ground. We usually catch tilapia, the kind we call Arroyo, plus shrimp and crabs. We catch all types of seafood when we go out. When the river is clean, we can really catch a lot. But when it is dirty, then we won't catch as much," testifies Cavite fisherman Ricardo Gonzales.

More river pollution means less seafood and less lucrative livelihoods for thousands of low-income fisherfolk in Cavite. Often, the fates of rivers and coasts are closely intertwined. 

A fisherman displays the day's catch: introduced black chin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron), originally from coastal West Africa.

Locally called Arroyo after former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's distinctive facial mole, these fast-multiplying fish are invading not just freshwater habitats like the Imus River, but coastal areas like Manila Bay itself. 

The Philippines is grappling with the smelly problem of garbage! According to the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, the Philippines consumes 60 billion sachets, 48 million shopping bags and around 16.5 billion single-use labo bags yearly.

Project ASEANO's #BuhayiLog initiative communicates solutions to rid rivers of plastic waste. Around 80% of plastic waste somehow reaches over 1000 rivers, with the majority of waste flowing down small rivers in densely populated areas.

Project ASEANO studied the generation and concentration of plastics in Cavite, a Philippine province which dumps 2000 tons of garbage into its six major river systems daily. The study found that most of this waste comes from households, followed by commercial, institutional and industrial establishments.

Household plastic waste generation averaged 0.17 kilos daily: that's half-a-kilo for every person living within the Imus River watershed, shown in our interactive map.

Do you want to help clean our rivers? Then shoot us a message. We'd love to talk.

Sari-sari stores or neighborhood sundry stores are small neighborhood shops which cater to nearby homes and casual passersby. The shops specialize in selling single-use products like sachets of coffee, juice, shampoo.

Cooking ingredients such as eggs, onions, garlic or ginger can be bought per piece. Items which are usually sold in larger and more expensive quantities in groceries are usually repacked and sold, including oil, salt and sugar. 

This allows regular people - often earning minimum wage - to make the most of their meager budgets, while allowing their proprietors to earn a decent living from reselling goods.

Sachet culture is a hallmark of many developing nations and is a socio-economic equalizer. The small, affordable packets allow people from all walks of life to taste or experience products that have traditionally been accessible only to more affluent people. Sachets are typically sold at sari-sari or neighborhood sundry stores as small, disposable packets of consumer goods. 

As both sachets and sundry stores are deeply ingrained in Philippine culture, the most realistic solid waste solution might be to require manufacturers to use biodegradable materials for their sachets.

Green packaging is a solution. Shopping malls, groceries and other commercial retailers should prioritize selling products - particularly sachet-sized packets sold in massive volumes - which are wrapped or sealed in biodegradable packaging. Examples of this are wrappers made from mushrooms, cornstarch, wood pulp and other commonly-available materials.

"We should help manufacturers think of ways to better package their products without sacrificing the quality of the products they are selling," shares academic researcher Marvi Aguilar.

Promoting refilling stations for consumer goods like coffee, detergent or shampoo can also reduce waste from single-use bottles and tubs.

Coupled with bring your own bottles, canvas bags, food containers and other schemes, the waste generated by malls and other shopping centers can be curbed significantly.

The Philippine archipelago is also a maritime highway.

Manila Bay is one of the busiest ports in Asia, with over 30,000 vessels of various tonnages and displacements entering and leaving it yearly.

Under the source-to-sea approach, it is imperative to realize that all water systems - from the upland streams of Tagaytay and Silang, to the open waters outside Manila Bay - are interconnected.

Know more about what PEMSEA does by browsing through the rest of our website. 

River sedimentation occurs when eroded materials such as soil, rocks and mud are transported by water to settle on the bottom of a river. Over time, this process can make even deep rivers shallow, further trapping mud, garbage and other materials.

“It’s sad that today’s kids can no longer dive and swim in a deep, clean and clear river, the way we used to. The riverbanks are no longer made of sand, but mud. There's trash everywhere. Look at what’s become of our beloved river. I hope we can bring it back to life,” says Kawit government official Noriel Gonzaga. 

One of the major contributors of plastic waste in Cavite is the Food Service Industry (FSI), whose kiosks and restaurants generate enormous amounts of garbage, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where take-out deliveries became the norm.

However, many establishments are doing their part to minimize in-store waste. “We only give straws to our drive-through customers,” shares Lodde Navarro, who works for a popular fast-food chain. “Dine-in customers are given metal utensils, plus durable plastic plates and cups. We also ask those who order take-out meals if they really need disposable utensils. These small steps help reduce our contribution of plastic waste.”





Shown above is a dine-in customer consuming a meal using non-disposable implements: a plastic plate, cup and tray, plus metal utensils. The only disposable item is tissue paper, which is at least 100% biodegradable.

The trash from all our meals add up, so the next time you're at a fast food restaurant, please be mindful of your plastic use. If you don't really need a straw or can use metal cutlery instead of flimsy plastic spoons and forks, please do so. You'll fill your belly as well as your heart with the knowledge that you did your part in fighting the plastic menace.

“Sachet culture is ingrained not just in the Philippines, but in many impoverished communities around the world, particularly in developing countries. We can’t just ban them, so a better solution might be to shift to biodegradable sachet packaging,” recommends Dr. Edwin Lineses of DLSU-Dasmariñas.

For used sachets however, upcycling can be a solution. “Here in Imus, we have a facility which turns used sachets into handy items like grocery bags, which are durable and waterproof,” shares Imus CENRO eco-aid Nerea Defensor.

"The Philippines has good solid waste management laws, like Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” explains Norlan Talay, a Cavite government official. “The problem is effective implementation, because there are too many residents and too few enforcers. Aside from ramping up enforcement efforts, we need residents to be more cooperative in managing waste.” 

Project ASEANO's studies recommend that Local Government Units (LGUs) enhance information, education and communication (IEC) drives, while revisiting local plastic ordinances. Provisions should be clearly stated without room for doubt or alternate interpretations.

LGU officers should be thoroughly trained on how to monitor, gather evidence, file complaints and legally prosecute violators. LGUs can also engage in creative ‘twinning arrangements’ with cities which have showcased proven practices in addressing plastic pollution.

Effective communication and collaboration onwaste reduction and plastic elimination is a pragmatic approach to reduce plastic waste by forging lasting partnerships with like-minded advocacy partners.

This serves as a driver for the global Food Service Industry to pursue and sustain further programs for recycling and waste reduction. Through proper understanding and good discipline, Asian communities can better safeguard their rivers from pollution.