Switch to the tumbler

It came as no surprise that Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival lobbied that once his term starts, there would be no more bottled water given out for free in City Hall. Instead, there will be water dispensers where one could just take their own personal tumbler and refill for free. What surprised me was the amount of reaction generated by his move. As a person whose background is rooted solely in environmental conservation, the move is just really basic. The switch to reusable objects is one that has been suggested for a long time.

Many City Hall officials and department heads were quick to heed his call. They then posted photos of themselves online with their tumblers. Of course, it seemed like a parade of who’s got the best brand --just like high school kids showing off the things they have. That wasn’t the purpose, somehow, but to show support for the environment. This move was also done during an international conference I attended by the United Nations. We were each given tumblers that functioned as a souvenir and our drinking glass for the entire duration of the event. I loved how we had the liberty to take as much water as we needed, and even take some home too for the long ride.

While many might say this has only a minute effect on the bigger problem, environmental experts say that any effort may have an impact. The reduction of bottled water in landfills would also mean lesser chances of it ending up in the sea or elsewhere, where it could harm our biodiversity. No matter how we explain that bottled plastics can be recycled, the reality is there is no clear collection system for them. This is why they still end up in our bodies of water, as do other kinds of single-use plastics.

The pronouncement was very timely in celebration of Environment Month. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that the theme is to beat plastic pollution. If we take one office at a time, we can influence other workplaces and institutions. Just like a pebble thrown into a pond, it can create ripples. In the meantime, the Environmental Management Bureau says it is also doubling its efforts to go after manufacturers who are non-compliant with their packaging. Less plastic should be used as we transition to a plastic-free community.

Imagine how many canals, rivers, and other waterways could be freed up from waste when fewer plastics are thrown. The burden now lies with the business sector to create products --especially beverages-- that are placed in sustainable containers. Some countries still use glass for drinks despite its weight and size. I'm not so sure if we can do the same, but we welcome any kind of development. As cliché as it may sound, the reality is that we only have one Earth to live on. If we continue to reel from the effects of our actions, we might not have a green future.