Source: http://www.philstar.com/
By: Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -- A network of environmental advocates vowed to stop the alleged unrestrained dumping of garbage in provinces surrounding the Sierra Madre mountain range, as it pressed for the unyielding preservation of the lush mountain, including its biodiversity.
Participants in the recent Save the Sierra Madre Summit in Quezon City criticized the existence of 73 “horrendous” dumps around Sierra Madre.
In a resolution, the Save the Sierra Madre Network called the dumping in Sierra Madre an “outright rape of the forest ecosystem” akin to the unbridled logging, mining and land conversion in the area.
“We believe that the Sierra Madre is a living monument of life and that every citizen and community has the duty to resist any plan to turn it into a graveyard of garbage,” the participants declared.
“Regardless of how they are called, the siting and operation of (dumps) in Sierra Madre is like a death sentence that will destroy the integrity of the forest, her rich biodiversity and her capacity to support sustainable development,” they added.
Citing latest available data from the website of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, the group said 45 open dumps, 21 controlled dumps and seven “sanitary” landfills exist in the Sierra Madre provinces.
The Sierra Madre mountain range straddles the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan.
Among the most controversial facilities that have caught the ire of the EcoWaste Coalition, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, Buklod Tao and the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society are the “sanitary” landfills in Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, and Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) and San Mateo towns in Rizal.
Rei Panaligan, coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, said participants in the Save the Sierra Madre Summit resolved to ask the local and national governments to carry out measures to protect the entire Sierra Madre.
Panaligan said the network demands the government close down, clean up and rehabilitate all the dumps; halt the use of “destructive and polluting waste technologies,” including landfills, incinerators and co-processing of waste in cement kilns; and enforce the ecological management of discards without dumping and burning.
The network of environment advocates also urged authorities not to use public funds for the collection and dumping of garbage in the Sierra Madre, Panaligan said.
“Instead, we call upon the government to earmark public funds for popular education and mobilization on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting in line with the Zero Waste approach to solve our stinking garbage woes,” Panaligan added.
Complete URL:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=505531&publicationSubCategoryId=67
Showing posts with label EcoWaste Coalition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EcoWaste Coalition. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Envt'l Group Raises Alarm on Toxic Flip-flops
Source: http://www.philstar.com/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Flip-flop fans, beware. You could be walking on phthalates.
The environmental group EcoWaste Coalition warns that some flip-flops and plastic shoes sold in the country, including popular brands in the mall, contain toxic chemicals.
The group cited a recent study which found that toxins in flip-flops, sandals, clogs and other plastic shoes in seven countries, including the Philippines, “indicated disturbing concentrations of harmful chemicals that are injurious to human health and the environment.”
The study was conducted by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), the renowned 100-year-old environmental organization in Sweden, in cooperation with the EcoWaste Coalition and partner groups in India, Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
“We have found frightening concentrations of environmental toxins in shoes that can spread to people and the environment as the shoes become worn. The investigation also shows that companies have no control and that legislation is too weak,” said SSNC president Mikael Karlsson in a statement released by the EcoWaste Coalition.
‘Chemicals Up-Close’
According to the report “Chemicals Up-Close,” 17 of the 27 pairs of plastic shoes tested were found positive for phthalates which are used as softening agents in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.
According to Manny Calonzo, president of the EcoWaste Coalition, three of the four samples from the Philippines were found to contain diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, with one sample containing DEHP and diisodecyl phthalate or DiDP, and another sample containing DEHP and dibutyl phthalate or DBP.
Phthalates such as DBP, DEHP, DiDP, DiNP and DnOP are “endocrine disruptors associated with developmental and reproductive disorders, including incomplete testicular growth and decreased fertility in men.
DEHP, in particular, is officially classified as being able to cause impaired fertility and harm to the unborn child.
Among the brands tested are the “Adorable Dora Sandals” for children (found to contain 6.9 percent of DEHP and 4.7 percent of DiDP), “Beach Walk Sandals” for women and “World Balance Sandals” for men (9.6 percent of DBP) all bought from SM North Edsa Department Store, and the China-made “Chaya Slippers” (8.6 percent of DEHP) bought from Puregold supermarket in Cubao, Quezon City.
Ban phthalates
In 2008, the United States banned phthalates from consumer products, particularly for children.
“There is no justification for the continued use of harmful chemicals such as phthalates in consumer products that could pose grave health and environmental risks. The toxins are spread as the products are used and can leach out when disposed in bodies of water, dumpsites and landfills,” said Calonzo.
Also tested was the popular Crocs Cayman model but bought in Sweden, not in the Philippines. While Crocs Cayman and the “Beach Walk Sandals” were not tested for phthalates, the study found traces of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc.
Heavy metals, too
“It is absurd that consumer products like these have traces of heavy metals which are harmful to the endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems. [They are also] carcinogenic, allergenic, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms,” Calonzo said.
According to the study, local and global regulations on harmful chemicals in consumer products are “far too weak” and that urgent and concerted policies are required to safeguard consumers and the environment from toxic hazards.
“We hope the results of the investigation would prompt our lawmakers to craft and enforce legislation that will tighten, if not completely end, the use of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to public health and the environment,” Calonzo said.
Complete URL:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090916-225435/Green-group-raises-alarm-on-toxic-flip-flops
.
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Flip-flop fans, beware. You could be walking on phthalates.
The environmental group EcoWaste Coalition warns that some flip-flops and plastic shoes sold in the country, including popular brands in the mall, contain toxic chemicals.
The group cited a recent study which found that toxins in flip-flops, sandals, clogs and other plastic shoes in seven countries, including the Philippines, “indicated disturbing concentrations of harmful chemicals that are injurious to human health and the environment.”
The study was conducted by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), the renowned 100-year-old environmental organization in Sweden, in cooperation with the EcoWaste Coalition and partner groups in India, Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
“We have found frightening concentrations of environmental toxins in shoes that can spread to people and the environment as the shoes become worn. The investigation also shows that companies have no control and that legislation is too weak,” said SSNC president Mikael Karlsson in a statement released by the EcoWaste Coalition.
‘Chemicals Up-Close’
According to the report “Chemicals Up-Close,” 17 of the 27 pairs of plastic shoes tested were found positive for phthalates which are used as softening agents in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.
According to Manny Calonzo, president of the EcoWaste Coalition, three of the four samples from the Philippines were found to contain diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, with one sample containing DEHP and diisodecyl phthalate or DiDP, and another sample containing DEHP and dibutyl phthalate or DBP.
Phthalates such as DBP, DEHP, DiDP, DiNP and DnOP are “endocrine disruptors associated with developmental and reproductive disorders, including incomplete testicular growth and decreased fertility in men.
DEHP, in particular, is officially classified as being able to cause impaired fertility and harm to the unborn child.
Among the brands tested are the “Adorable Dora Sandals” for children (found to contain 6.9 percent of DEHP and 4.7 percent of DiDP), “Beach Walk Sandals” for women and “World Balance Sandals” for men (9.6 percent of DBP) all bought from SM North Edsa Department Store, and the China-made “Chaya Slippers” (8.6 percent of DEHP) bought from Puregold supermarket in Cubao, Quezon City.
Ban phthalates
In 2008, the United States banned phthalates from consumer products, particularly for children.
“There is no justification for the continued use of harmful chemicals such as phthalates in consumer products that could pose grave health and environmental risks. The toxins are spread as the products are used and can leach out when disposed in bodies of water, dumpsites and landfills,” said Calonzo.
Also tested was the popular Crocs Cayman model but bought in Sweden, not in the Philippines. While Crocs Cayman and the “Beach Walk Sandals” were not tested for phthalates, the study found traces of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc.
Heavy metals, too
“It is absurd that consumer products like these have traces of heavy metals which are harmful to the endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems. [They are also] carcinogenic, allergenic, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms,” Calonzo said.
According to the study, local and global regulations on harmful chemicals in consumer products are “far too weak” and that urgent and concerted policies are required to safeguard consumers and the environment from toxic hazards.
“We hope the results of the investigation would prompt our lawmakers to craft and enforce legislation that will tighten, if not completely end, the use of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to public health and the environment,” Calonzo said.
Complete URL:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090916-225435/Green-group-raises-alarm-on-toxic-flip-flops
.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Envt'l. Grp. Seek Halt of High-risk Projects in Marikina watershed
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — An environmental group urged the government on Friday to stop high-risk projects within the Marikina watershed that might endanger the lives of residents living in the area.
In a statement, the EcoWaster Coalition said all land conversion and waste disposal activities within the watershed may lead to disasters like landslides.
The appeal was made just as the country observes Disaster Awareness Month this July.
“The massive land conversion of the Marikina watershed and the mountains of Rizal is putting families in danger, especially those living near riverbanks and mountain slopes,” warned Noli Abinales of Buklod Tao, a community-based organization based in San Mateo, Rizal.
“As the country is in the brink of more climatic disasters due to global warming, we are appealing to the DENR to act quickly and stop the further destruction of the environment.”
The group also asked Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to supplement environmental management programs by integrating disaster prevention modules to enhance the protection of citizens living in high-risk disaster areas like San Mateo.
In a 2000 study conducted by the National Institute for Geological Studies of the University of the Philippines, it was revealed that the surrounding mountains of San Mateo are classified as Zone 1 or high risk for landslides and “mass wasting.”
Also, an environmental constraint map of San Mateo showed 13 of the town’s 15 barangays as prone to flooding, the group said.
Buklod Tao laid the blame on powerful corporations engaged in housing projects and quarry operations who they said were leveling the mountains of Rizal for years.
For his part, Rei Panaligan of the EcoWaste Coalition assailed the construction of a new “sanitary” landfill in San Mateo that could contaminate the water supply with leachate, the toxic “garbage juice” which forms within waste materials.
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — An environmental group urged the government on Friday to stop high-risk projects within the Marikina watershed that might endanger the lives of residents living in the area.
In a statement, the EcoWaster Coalition said all land conversion and waste disposal activities within the watershed may lead to disasters like landslides.
The appeal was made just as the country observes Disaster Awareness Month this July.
“The massive land conversion of the Marikina watershed and the mountains of Rizal is putting families in danger, especially those living near riverbanks and mountain slopes,” warned Noli Abinales of Buklod Tao, a community-based organization based in San Mateo, Rizal.
“As the country is in the brink of more climatic disasters due to global warming, we are appealing to the DENR to act quickly and stop the further destruction of the environment.”
The group also asked Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to supplement environmental management programs by integrating disaster prevention modules to enhance the protection of citizens living in high-risk disaster areas like San Mateo.
In a 2000 study conducted by the National Institute for Geological Studies of the University of the Philippines, it was revealed that the surrounding mountains of San Mateo are classified as Zone 1 or high risk for landslides and “mass wasting.”
Also, an environmental constraint map of San Mateo showed 13 of the town’s 15 barangays as prone to flooding, the group said.
Buklod Tao laid the blame on powerful corporations engaged in housing projects and quarry operations who they said were leveling the mountains of Rizal for years.
For his part, Rei Panaligan of the EcoWaste Coalition assailed the construction of a new “sanitary” landfill in San Mateo that could contaminate the water supply with leachate, the toxic “garbage juice” which forms within waste materials.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Environmentalists Urge Gov't On 2014 PCB Phase-out
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines--Environmentalists called on the government to fast track the phaseout of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in large transformers and voltage regulators in the power sector.
Manny Calonzo of the Ecowaste Coalition said on Tuesday the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) required governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement an action plan to address PCBs.
“The government already has a program laid out to phase out PCBs. But the real problem is fast tracking the program to accomplish the phase out by 2014,” Calonzo said.
In simple ceremonies on Tuesday, the coalition reiterated its support for a program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) would no longer be used in the country.
“The pioneering project will demonstrate the efficacy of environmentally sound and safe non-burn approach for managing PCBs and will surely contribute to both the local and global push to eliminate PCBs and advance chemical safety,” Calonzo said.
The group also launched the “PCB Eliminator,” a “masked hero” whose mission is to protect “our people and the ecosystem from harm caused by exposure to these harmful substances.”
The new green crusader joins the other mascot heroes of the waste and pollution watchdog, namely “Boy Bayong,” an advocate against single use plastic bags, and “Super WA” (for “Walang Aksaya”) a champion for Zero Waste.
Angie Brabante, chief of the chemical management section of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that if introduced directly into the environment, PCB could affect the skin, immune and reproductive system. It is also dangerous to wildlife and resides in the environment for 30 years.
She added that electric cooperatives around the country continued to use transformers and regulators with PCB. According to him, 32,000 transformers in use still contain PCB.
“There are new alternatives now to PCB oils including transformers that use mineral and silicon oil,” she said.
Calonzo said that at present, the biggest concern now would be how to dispose of PCBs. There is only one facility being constructed in the country to dispose of PCBs without burning, according to him. That facility is being constructed in Bataan and will be finished this year.
According to the coalition, PCBs belong to the so-called “dirty dozen” of POPs that include pesticides, industrial chemicals and unintentional byproducts of industrial and combustion processes.
Worldwide, there is an estimated five million tons of PCB oils and contaminated equipment.
In the country, initial inventories by the EMB estimated 6,879 tons of PCB-containing equipment and waste products with about 2400 tons of PCB oil.
PCBS are also found in industrial establishments, manufacturing plants, military camps and hospitals.
Exposure to PCBs may lead to cancer, particularly cancer of the liver. There have been well-documented cases of water pollution with PCBs in industrialized countries, which led to the poisoning of marine life.
.
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines--Environmentalists called on the government to fast track the phaseout of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in large transformers and voltage regulators in the power sector.
Manny Calonzo of the Ecowaste Coalition said on Tuesday the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) required governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement an action plan to address PCBs.
“The government already has a program laid out to phase out PCBs. But the real problem is fast tracking the program to accomplish the phase out by 2014,” Calonzo said.
In simple ceremonies on Tuesday, the coalition reiterated its support for a program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) would no longer be used in the country.
“The pioneering project will demonstrate the efficacy of environmentally sound and safe non-burn approach for managing PCBs and will surely contribute to both the local and global push to eliminate PCBs and advance chemical safety,” Calonzo said.
The group also launched the “PCB Eliminator,” a “masked hero” whose mission is to protect “our people and the ecosystem from harm caused by exposure to these harmful substances.”
The new green crusader joins the other mascot heroes of the waste and pollution watchdog, namely “Boy Bayong,” an advocate against single use plastic bags, and “Super WA” (for “Walang Aksaya”) a champion for Zero Waste.
Angie Brabante, chief of the chemical management section of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that if introduced directly into the environment, PCB could affect the skin, immune and reproductive system. It is also dangerous to wildlife and resides in the environment for 30 years.
She added that electric cooperatives around the country continued to use transformers and regulators with PCB. According to him, 32,000 transformers in use still contain PCB.
“There are new alternatives now to PCB oils including transformers that use mineral and silicon oil,” she said.
Calonzo said that at present, the biggest concern now would be how to dispose of PCBs. There is only one facility being constructed in the country to dispose of PCBs without burning, according to him. That facility is being constructed in Bataan and will be finished this year.
According to the coalition, PCBs belong to the so-called “dirty dozen” of POPs that include pesticides, industrial chemicals and unintentional byproducts of industrial and combustion processes.
Worldwide, there is an estimated five million tons of PCB oils and contaminated equipment.
In the country, initial inventories by the EMB estimated 6,879 tons of PCB-containing equipment and waste products with about 2400 tons of PCB oil.
PCBS are also found in industrial establishments, manufacturing plants, military camps and hospitals.
Exposure to PCBs may lead to cancer, particularly cancer of the liver. There have been well-documented cases of water pollution with PCBs in industrialized countries, which led to the poisoning of marine life.
.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Philippine Green Groups Call for Plastics Ban
Source: http://english.ohmynews.com/
By: Krzl Nunes
©2009 OhmyNews
A waste and pollution watchdog called upon the government to ban the use of plastic bags in the country.
On Monday, the EcoWaste Coalition proposed to the National Solid Waste Management commission to phase out single-use plastic products and other packaging materials, such as disposable plastic bags, that have low recycling levels.
According to EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Rei Panaligan, they will also mobilize concerned groups and individuals to urge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to act on United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) appeal to ban the said plastic products "rapidly" everywhere.
“We will launch a signature drive that will petition the government to unilaterally ban plastic bags, promote ecological substitutes and practices, and incorporate marine litter prevention and reduction in the national solid waste management strategy,” Panaligan added.
In a report released by UNEP and the Ocean Conservatory on June 8, It was found that plastic is the "number one marine litter" that poses hazards because "it persists so long, degrading into tinier and tinier bits that can be consumed by the smallest marine life at the base of the food web."
The report, entitled “Marine Litter: A Global Challenge” defined marine litter as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment.
Among the land-based sources where marine litter is obtained are wastes from dump sites located on the coast or banks of rivers, industrial outfalls, discharge from water drains, untreated municipal sewerage, and litters in beaches and recreation areas in coastal areas.
The report added that marine litter could also come from shipping and fishing vessels and activities, offshore mining and extraction, and dumping activities at sea.
Despite several international, regional and national efforts to reverse marine pollution, alarming quantities of rubbish thrown out to sea continue to endanger people's safety and health, entrap wildlife, damage nautical equipment and ruin coastal areas around the world, the report indicated.
The government's call to push for bolder and significant cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by developed countries was meanwhile lauded by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Wednesday.
Philippine chief negotiator and former environment secretary Heherson Alvarez discussed the developments of the climate change negotiation with Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, who commended the Philippine Delegation for playing an active role in the process of coming up with an agreement that will manage the impact of climate change.
However, de Boer said that the on-going talks on promised global cuts are “on average and not deep enough.”
According to de Boer, the climate change negotiation could be hastened by focusing on fundamental issues such as reaching ambitious targets of carbon dioxide reduction of industrialized countries, urging China and India to limit growth of their carbon dioxide emissions, and clarifying financing needs for both mitigation and adaptation for developing countries.
By: Krzl Nunes
©2009 OhmyNews
A waste and pollution watchdog called upon the government to ban the use of plastic bags in the country.
On Monday, the EcoWaste Coalition proposed to the National Solid Waste Management commission to phase out single-use plastic products and other packaging materials, such as disposable plastic bags, that have low recycling levels.
According to EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Rei Panaligan, they will also mobilize concerned groups and individuals to urge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to act on United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) appeal to ban the said plastic products "rapidly" everywhere.
“We will launch a signature drive that will petition the government to unilaterally ban plastic bags, promote ecological substitutes and practices, and incorporate marine litter prevention and reduction in the national solid waste management strategy,” Panaligan added.
In a report released by UNEP and the Ocean Conservatory on June 8, It was found that plastic is the "number one marine litter" that poses hazards because "it persists so long, degrading into tinier and tinier bits that can be consumed by the smallest marine life at the base of the food web."
The report, entitled “Marine Litter: A Global Challenge” defined marine litter as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment.
Among the land-based sources where marine litter is obtained are wastes from dump sites located on the coast or banks of rivers, industrial outfalls, discharge from water drains, untreated municipal sewerage, and litters in beaches and recreation areas in coastal areas.
The report added that marine litter could also come from shipping and fishing vessels and activities, offshore mining and extraction, and dumping activities at sea.
Despite several international, regional and national efforts to reverse marine pollution, alarming quantities of rubbish thrown out to sea continue to endanger people's safety and health, entrap wildlife, damage nautical equipment and ruin coastal areas around the world, the report indicated.
The government's call to push for bolder and significant cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by developed countries was meanwhile lauded by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Wednesday.
Philippine chief negotiator and former environment secretary Heherson Alvarez discussed the developments of the climate change negotiation with Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, who commended the Philippine Delegation for playing an active role in the process of coming up with an agreement that will manage the impact of climate change.
However, de Boer said that the on-going talks on promised global cuts are “on average and not deep enough.”
According to de Boer, the climate change negotiation could be hastened by focusing on fundamental issues such as reaching ambitious targets of carbon dioxide reduction of industrialized countries, urging China and India to limit growth of their carbon dioxide emissions, and clarifying financing needs for both mitigation and adaptation for developing countries.
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