Campaign materials collected after the polls would be repurposed into “ecobags” and “ecobricks,” according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
During the Laging Handa briefing, MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said the environmental group Ecowaste Coalition approached the agency to create ecobags from the campaign materials collected.
“In fact, nagpulong na po sila ng aming mga tauhan para ‘yung makakapal at magaganda pa po na tarpaulins ay magawa pong ecobags,” he said.
(In fact, they have already met with our staff so that the thick and beautiful tarps can be made into ecobags.)
According to Artes, thin tarpaulins will be shredded in a granulator and used as materials in hollow blocks and ecobricks.
He added these hollow blocks and ecobricks would be used in Metro Manila’s upcoming pocket parks.
“Ito po ay gigilingin at gagawing pong sangkap sa paggawa ng hollow blocks at ecobricks na siya naman pong gagamitin natin sa dini-develop po nating pocket parks dito sa Kamaynilaan,” he explained.
(This will be ground and made into ingredients for making hollow blocks and ecobricks that we will use in the pocket parks we are developing here in Manila.)
MMDA to recycle campaign materials into bags, bricks
On Tuesday, a day after the national and local elections on May 9, the MMDA gathered 98 tons of campaign materials, or 28 truckloads, under Operation Baklas. On Wednesday, 154 tons of campaign materials, or 43 truckloads, were also gathered.
Candidates were encouraged by Artes to assist in the removal of their own campaign materials.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked local government units (LGUs) and candidates to dispose of campaign trash materials in their districts within three days of the May 9 elections.
“Clean-up of election litter is the first order of business after the polls. Aside from incumbent LGU officials, we urge all candidates, winners and non-winners alike, to take it upon themselves to lead in the removal of their campaign materials,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
Año advised local chief executives to properly dispose of election propaganda paraphernalia in compliance with environmental laws and municipal ordinances and regulations prohibiting illegal dumping, open burning, and litter.
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