QC to ban plastic bags, single use plastics again starting March 1

The Quezon City government announced on Saturday it will again ban plastic bags and single use plastics beginning March 1.

The ban was first implemented in January 2020 but this was lifted in May during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The plastics ban is covered by City Ordinance 2868-2019.

“There is a pressing need to strengthen the City’s efforts in response to the global movement to reduce plastic wastes. Our call to action is also in fulfillment of the City’s international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience. With the re-implementation of the plastic bag ban, we hope to promote sustainable practices in the city,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Belmonte issued a memo directing shopping malls, supermarkets, fast food chains, drug stores and other retailers to stop distributing and providing plastic bags to their customers starting March.

"We will not allow the retailers to use plastic bags anymore at the check out counters. Kailangan nang magdala ng mamimili ng sarili nilang reusable bags," she said. 

Brown paper bags will still be allowed to be used in groceries and other retail stores this year. However, starting 2022, these will also be prohibited.

Plastics in hotels, restaurants

Beginning July 1, restaurants and hotels will also be prohibited again from distributing to dine-in customers disposable and single use plastics such as plastic spoon and fork, knives, plastic/paper cups, plates, plastic/paper straws, coffee stirrers and other disposable materials and styrofoam. This prohibition was lifted during the MECQ last year.

The distribution of disposable and single use plastics in restaurants was banned as per City Ordinance 2876-2019.

Meanwhile, hotels are prohibited as well from distributing toiletries packed in sachets and single-use containers.

Food establishments are encouraged to give customers ordering for delivery and take away single-use plastic utensils and condiment sachets only if requested.

The local government unit also reminded the public to disinfect eco bags before and after use.

It also encouraged the public to use their own utensils.

Those businesses found violating the city ordinances will be penalized with:

• a fine of P1,000 for the first offense;
• P3,000 fine and revocation of environmental clearance and issuance of cease and desist order by the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) for the second offense; and
• a fine of P5,000 and revocation of the business permit and issuance of closure order for the third offense.

Earlier this month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources  said plastic soft drink straws and coffee stirrers will be banned soon in the country. —KG, GMA News