Celebrations within January - International Zero Waste Month

It is good for all to be reminded that January is International Zero Waste Month. This“serves as a platform to highlight the commitment, initiatives and achievements to send nothing to landfills, and embrace a circular economy where resources are valued and reused.

It challenges the narrative promoted by those favoring the status quo, who often portray zero waste practices as impractical or unnecessary and fossil fuels as indispensable.

Embracing zero waste is a powerful act.

Our current culture of consumption is unsustainable. Extracting raw materials from natural spaces requires large amounts of energy and causes pollution, whether it is logging a forest, mining for minerals or drilling for oil.

Making zero waste generation a cornerstone of a circular economy is essential, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t happen overnight.

Achieving this goal demands sustained efforts from both governments and individuals alike.

As you continue to embrace and practice a zero-waste lifestyle, we move closer to creating a world where waste is a thing of the past.”

“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world. The environment is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si)

The reminder that January is International Zero Waste Month is also timely since within this month, there are celebrations forthe Nazareno and Sto. Ni?o worshipped by millions of devotees who come with their prayers/petitions/thanksgiving, and, waste.

Tons of garbage are, without fail, left behind by those who petition God to take care of them and their families but who forget to take care of God*s world in return.

Are the worshippers reminded about Laudato Si, to mind their waste, not leave any waste behind that will add to a world full of filth, that will destroy God’s beautiful world intended for people, not for trash?

Oh, can you imagine the possible miracle of having waste-free, zero waste celebrations in January?

if only church leaders will, themselves, seriously commit to reminding the worshippers about zero waste, about responsible waste segregation, and more importantly, about Laudato Si, about everyone taking care of earth, our common home - what a clean/orderly celebration every Sinulog and Translacion it will be!

Governments and CSOs (civil society groups) need to do their share as well of reminding all to responsibly take care of their own waste, especially assist/coordinate in guiding worshippers and revelers in the streets to segregate and dispose of their wastes in the proper bins.

Can waste segregation be everyone’s active prayer/offering to God, for people and our planet?

Can everyone coordinate and partner together to start, from this year onward, waste-free secular and sacred celebrations?

May we again try to call the attention of Archbishop Jose Palma to lead the call (better through a circular to be read and repeated during masses and processions) for all worshippers and revelers not to leave or throw any waste behind in churches and streets?

Can we also expect our partners in media to repeatedly air/print/broadcast calls/reminders to make any celebration waste-free, for all to responsibly heed the call for waste-free, zero waste Sinulog?

Will all barangays/schools/offices/businesses/industries also do their share in reminding their constituents, students, employees, staff, suppliers and customers to practice zero-waste, not only for Sinulog during this International Zero Waste Month but all through 2024 and other coming years?

Is zero waste doable?

Yes, if we start now, together.