Manufacturers appeal complete ban on plastic bags

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Plastics Industry Association (PPIA) is appealing to local government units (LGUs) not to impose a complete ban on the use of plastic bags.

In an interview with The STAR, PPIA president Crispian Lao assured that while the plastics industry support the move of the LGUs to protect the environment, “the issue should not be against plastic bags, but should be viewed as a discipline issue.”

Lao pointed out that proper use and disposal of plastic bags and products, through discipline, would prevent the unwanted clogging of drainage and waterways.

He likewise clarified that, if properly disposed, segregated and collected, plastic bags and products like styrofoam could be recycled.

In fact, Lao said the PPIA is willing to work with the LGUs in buying back collected plastic products for recycling.

Several municipalities have implemented a ban on the use of plastic bags. Among them are Muntinlupa, Los Baños, Carmona and Biñan.

Pasig, which is also studying a similar ban, is now looking at an alternative recovery system for plastic products.

Lao explained that at least 60 percent of the local plastics industryare manufacturers of plastic bags.

There are about 500 plastics manufacturers.

Lao argued that reverting back to the use of paper bags also has its own corresponding impact on the environment with the increased cutting of trees to produce pulp and paper used to produce paper products.

Furthermore, Lao said to manufacture paper bags takes seven times more in terms of energy consumption and five times the energy to recycle than plastics.

Paper bags also takes four times the weight to carry the same load as a plastic bag.