EcoWaste laments widespread littering on Traslacion's route

Zero-waste advocates on Friday lamented the unchecked littering in parts of Manila as millions of devotees took to the streets for Traslacion 2026.

The EcoWaste Coalition said it observed widespread littering along the routes of the grand procession despite repeated calls for a safe and trash-free observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene this year.

“Our repeated pleas for a waste-free conduct of Traslacion have gone unheeded,” Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition said.

"Such a blatant disregard for our environment is unacceptable, especially given our current reality of climate emergency, pervasive pollution, and biodiversity loss, or what is termed as the triple planetary crisis," Tolentino added.

Among the most common trash found on the routes and adjacent streets were boxes, cardboards, foils, plastic tarpaulins, and newspapers used for seating or sleeping.

Also scattered were food and beverage packaging, paper and plastic cups and tubs; food wastes, and cigarette butts and vapes.

According to the advocates, some of the littering hotsposts during the Traslacion were the open field in front of the Quirino Grandstand; Roxas Boulevard from T. M. Kalaw St. to Burgos Drive; T. M. Kalaw St. ; Carlos Palanca St. from Plaza Lacson to Quinta Market; both sides of Quezon Boulevard from Quezon Bridge to Recto Avenue; R. Hidalgo St. from Lacson Underpass to Plaza del Carmen; Arlegui, Bilibid Viejo, and adjacent streets.

The EcoWaste Coalition previously reminded the public to keep the streets clean and waste-free as they gear up for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

They reiterated their appeal on Tuesday through a peaceful assembly in front of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo Church.

Meanwhile, the advocates noted some improvements in the pollution reduction for the grand procession.

This includes the repainting of the arches and gutters in Plaza Miranda by the Manila Department of Engineering using certified lead-safe paints, and the non-use of wasteful plastic banderitas at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.

Citing data from the Manila Department of Public Services, the EcoWaste Coalition previously said 468 metric tons of garbage were collected during the Traslacion activities from January 6 to 10, 2024.

In 2025, 382 metric tons of garbage were collected during the same period.—LDF, GMA Integrated News