In 2019, the Philippines was recorded as the world’s biggest plastic polluter. The country was responsible for 36.38% of global oceanic plastic waste, far more than the second-largest plastic polluter, India, which in the same year accounted for about 12.92% of the total.

In a virtual hang-out held during the World Clean-up Day, Climate Reality Leaders in Mindanao shared insights and their ongoing efforts to address the threats of plastic pollution—a persisting problem in the country that is not just an environmental or public health concern but also a significant contributor to the global climate crisis.

Here are some updates from our Climate Reality Leaders in the region:

In the Caraga region, I led the initiative of the Butuan Bay International Coastal Clean-up Drive through the Butuan Bay Development Alliance (BBDA) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Agusan del Norte on 14 September 2023 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Joined by the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources CARAGA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resource CARAGA, the Philippine Coastguard, the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor, members of the academe, the Municipal Government Unit of Buenavista, and other civic organizations, the initiative was part of a public awareness campaign on the adverse effects of plastic pollution to marine life and the persisting climate crisis.

In South Cotabato, Climate Reality Leader Reginely Kem Yares also joined a clean-up drive last September with the Mindanao State University.

Reflecting on the current state of plastic pollution in the country, Climate Reality Leader Vincent Cotoron underscored during the hang-out that it’s not yet too late to address plastic pollution, highlighting the need for more people to advocate for a circular economy and demand plastic producers to take responsibility for their waste.

Cotoron cited the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, which requires producers to be environmentally responsible throughout the life cycle of a product, especially its post-consumer or end-of-life stage. He shared that he was able to talk about the law during a speaking engagement as the climate change focal of his organization. He called on his fellow Climate Reality Leaders to campaign for the full implementation of the law.

In Misamis Oriental, Climate Reality Leader Camille Cutimar shared the sad reality she is witnessing in her everyday work in the agriculture and fishery sector: marine life entangled in plastic waste and microplastics infiltrating marine resources consumed by humans.

Cutimar identified several community-based solutions to marine plastic pollution. These include educating fisherfolk on how to be more responsible with their discarded nets and other fishing materials, including cellophane used to preserve their catch, and raising awareness among households about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of proper waste disposal.

Speaking on the need to refuse single-use plastics, Climate Reality Leader Mark Devon Maitim shared that he is pushing for the use of tumblers and reusable cups, instead of disposable plastics, in the events hosted by his organization. He also shared his efforts to engage restaurant owners and operators in avoiding single-use plastics.

Lastly, Climate Reality Leader Jefferson Cuadra shared his efforts to engage his students at the Caraga State University on climate and marine pollution action through the arts. Through paintings and other forms of art, his students can amplify the call for a cross-sectoral and whole-of-nation action toward addressing both the climate and plastic crises.