Plastic waste is the most common type of waste left by visitors to cemeteries this Undas 2025, according to a report by the EcoWaste Coalition. Among the waste found were plastic bags, bottles, glasses, spoons and forks, straws, and styrofoam food and beverage containers.
According to Ochie Tolentino, a campaigner for the group, single-use plastics (SUPs) are made from fossil fuels and are usually used only once. They are difficult to recycle and are harmful to the environment. He added that the use of SUPs is linked to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
During their monitoring from October 31 to November 2, the group inspected 25 public and private cemeteries such as Manila North and South Cemetery. They noted that waste management inside the cemeteries had slightly improved due to more street sweepers, 24/7 cleanup, and clearer segregation signage.
However, the roads around the cemetery were still filled with mixed garbage, especially on November 1 and the morning of November 2. Most of this was food wrappers and food waste.
The group called for three steps to completely reduce waste during Undas: phasing out single-use plastics, strict enforcement of local plastic ban ordinances, and compliance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Tolentino also said that it is important to separate each type of waste to facilitate recycling and reduce waste in landfills.
