(Eagle News) — A waste and pollution watch group exhorted the public to refrain from littering in beaches and other recreational spots this summer.
The EcoWaste Coalition asked tourists to aim for “zero marine litter,” especially in coastal areas.
“We appeal to all vacationers not to abandon their discards in our beaches and other recreational sites.Leave only your footprints in the sands. Please don’t leave your cigarette butts, plastics and leftover foods behind, ” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
She said keeping the beaches and shores “free of trash is one way of reducing the volume of marine litter that is turning our seas into giant landfills to the detriment of the marine wildlife.”
Used plastic bags, for instance, she said can be “easily blown by wind into the sea where aquatic animals mistake them for food.”
Balloons, beach balls, swimming floaters and misplaced lines, nets and other fishing gear can also “hurt and injure marine animals through entanglement,” she said.
As a result, the EcoWaste Coalition advised vacationers to avoid the single use of materials and products.
They should go for reusable products such as reusable “bayong” and cloth carry bags, reusable dinnerware and cutlery, washable cloth napkins, among others, instead.
