The Quezon City government has announced it will resume the full implementation of the Ordinance 2868-2019, which bans the use of plastic bags and single-use plastics in the city.
In an advisory, the city government said the city-wide plastic bag ban will be imposed starting March 1.
The city already implemented the ban in January 2020 but was temporarily lifted in May through the issuance of the city’s Localized Guidelines for Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and its succeeding versions.
“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,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in an earlier statement.
“With the re-implementation of the plastic bag ban, we hope to promote sustainable practices in the city,” she added.
Under a memorandum issued by Belmonte, all shopping malls, supermarkets, fast-food chains, drug stores, and other retailers registered under the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) should cease the distribution and/or provision of plastic bags to their customers.
“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,” the mayor said.
The use of brown paper bags in groceries and other retail stores will only be allowed this year as it will be prohibited starting 2022 as part of the full implementation of the ordinance.
The local government urged the public to properly disinfect their reusable bags before and after use in groceries and markets.
“We are also encouraging the public to use their own eating utensils in their homes and offices as they consume their take away food,” the city government said.
The city will also be enforcing the ban on the distribution of disposable and single use plastics in restaurants and hotels for dine-in transactions starting July 1, 2021. Its implementation was also deferred through the MECQ guidelines.
As stated in City Ordinance 2876-2019, restaurants are prohibited from distributing single-use plastic/ disposable materials to their dine-in customers such as plastic spoon and fork, knives, plastic/ paper cups, plates, plastic/ paper straws, coffee stirrers and other disposable materials and styrofoam.
For food delivery and take away orders, food establishments are also encouraged to adopt a “by-request protocol,” where they ask their customers if they need single-use plastic utensils and condiment sachets before providing it to them.
Food delivery applications such as Grab Food and Food Panda are also requested to consider incorporating the protocol to positively contribute in the plastic waste reduction program of the city.
Meanwhile, hotels in the city will also be prohibited from distributing soap, shampoo, shower gels, liquid soap, conditioners, and other items used for hygienic purposes in sachets and single-use containers.
Restaurants and hotels will be required to submit their transition plans, including health and safety protocols, to the EPWMD on or before May 31, 2021, the city government said.
The city government said it will be deputizing enforcers to check each establishment’s compliance to the ordinances.
Businesses that fail to implement the law 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 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.
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