Are you shopping around malls in Quezon City? Well, you should be ready to bring your eco-bag, reusable or recyclable bags when shopping. This is because starting September 1, 2012 the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance will be implemented in the malls of Quezon City. Last week when my husband and I shop at SM North Edsa and Trinoma, we saw the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance Notice in the cashier area that encourages their customers to protect the environment by bringing their own recyclable/reusable bags.
QC Plastic bag reduction ordinance, credit: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph
The Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance (City ordinance SP-2103, S-2011) will enforce a Plastic Recovery System Fee that charges and collect a fix amount of two pesos (P2.00) per plastic bag used regardless of its size. The collected fee will be part of Green fund that is intended to fund various initiatives for the benefit of the environment. That means that if you are not able to bring your own reusable bag for your shopping, you are required to pay (P2.00) per plastic bag used.
Exemption: Exempted from this ordinance is the use of plastic bags with no handles, holes or strings that are commonly used for wrapping unpacked fresh foods and cooked foods.
The policies and measures to reduce the use of plastic bags, part of the efforts to reduce the volume of plastic waste produced by the city was being implemented by the administration of Mayor Herbert Bautista. I wish Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance could also be implemented in Caloocan City and much better in all areas of the world. I hope Caloocan City Mayor Echiverri have plans in implementing Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance in Caloocan City.
To learn more about the Quezon City Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance, visit their website at http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=774:qc-regulates-plastic-bag-use&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=362.