January is Zero Waste Month 

by Debbie Jane P. Baladad, JANUARY 2023

Did you know that January is “Zero Waste Month”? 

January is declared “Zero Waste Month” by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 760, signed in 2014 by former President Benigno Aquino III. The proclamation promotes designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials. It also aims to conserve and recover all resources, instead of indiscriminately disposing or burning them. 

In accordance with Proclamation 760, zero waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. 

Despite the implementation of Proclamation 760, the issues on wastes and toxics still exist. In order to achieve and embrace zero waste lifestyle, everybody must work together by implementing and promoting toxics and wastes reduction programs, especially at the community level. 

Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was passed to promote environmental awareness and action among the citizenry and institutionalize public participation in the development of national and local integrated, comprehensive, and ecological waste management programs. 

The act mandates local government units (LGUs) to have a 10-year solid waste management plan that is consistent with the national solid waste management framework. LGUs shall divert at least 25% of all solid waste from waste disposal facilities through re-use, recycling, and composting activities and other resource recovery activities and the waste diversion goals shall be increased every three (3) years thereafter. 

The Zero Waste Month will be an opportunity for every city to intensify its efforts in spreading awareness about advocacies in waste management through programs and activities to be participated by its constituents.   

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About the writer:

Debbie Jane P. Baladad. A pure Manilena, she is a lover of milk teas, naps, and ballpoint pens. She also finds addiction to watching movies and land transfers. Currently finding the enthusiasm in writing articles.