Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues of our time, threatening ecosystems, harming human health, and disrupting the livelihoods of millions. Among those on the frontlines are waste workers and waste pickers, who bear the brunt of the crisis. They face not only the environmental hazards of single-use plastics but also health risks and economic challenges exacerbated by the overwhelming production of single-use plastics by corporations.
Greenpeace Philippines asked Aloja A. Santos, founding president of the Philippine National Waste Workers’ Alliance (PNWWA) and president of Dumaguete Women Waste Workers Association, to hear her firsthand experiences on how plastic pollution affects waste workers and why she believes a Global Plastics Treaty is essential for meaningful change.
Paano nakakaapekto ang plastic pollution sa inyong komunidad at trabaho?
“Ang plastic pollution ay isa sa mga malaking problema sa ating mundo ngayon, pati na rin dito sa aming lugar. Nakakapagdulot siya ng baha sa aming kalsada at kadalasan naapektuhan ang schedule ng aming collection at monitoring. Nagkalat din ang mga sachet at plastic bags na nakakadagdag pa sa aming trabaho, lalo na’t hindi ito nabubulok o nareresiklo.”
“Isa rin sa epekto sa amin ng plastic pollution ay pag may nagsusunog nito ay naglalabas ito ng mabahong amoy na alam namin masama sa kalusugan ng mga tao. Nakakaapekto rin ito kapag umabot sa karagatan, kinakain ng yamang dagat na siya namang kinakain ng tao. Dito na kami maapektuhan—magkakasakit, humihina ang aming kalusugan, at katulad din ng ibang epekto ng plastic, hindi kami makapagtrabaho nang maayos.”
Ano sa tingin n’yo ang dapat gawin para masolusyonan ito?
“Sumasang-ayon ako na kailangan bawasan ang single-use plastic. Kung may alternatibo na hindi na kailangan gumamit ng plastic, ‘yun na lang ang ating gawin. Ito na ang solusyon na mabawasan ang mga basura sa dumpsite, landfill, karagatan, at ilog. Wala nang magsusunog ng basurang plastic, mababawasan pa ang pollution. Makakatulong din itong mabawasan ang mga kinokolekta namin, at mas makatutok kami sa pag-compost at recycle.”
“Sumasang-ayon rin ako na ibalik ang refill at reuse para mabawasan ang mga basura at maibalik ang ating kinalakihan na tradisyon. Kung nagawa natin noon, pwede pa rin natin gawin ngayon.”
Paano makakatulong ang Global Plastics Treaty sa ating problema sa plastic?
“Susuporta ako kung may ipasang pandaigdigang kasunduan. Ang kasunduang ipapatupad ay dapat bigyan ng ipin upang malimitahan ang paggamit ng plastic at hindi na makadagdag sa kasalukuyang polusyon dahil ito ay toxic para sa kalikasan. Ito ay para sa mga darating pang henerasyon na sana ay may malanghap pa silang sariwang hangin at malanguyang malinis na karagatan.”
Just transition towards a plastic-free future
Aloja’s words echo the urgency of addressing plastic pollution at its source, which is the relentless and unregulated production of single-use plastics by corporations. For waste workers like her, the fight against plastic pollution goes beyond clean-ups and recycling; it is a call for sustainable alternatives and environmental justice.
A strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty must prioritize the needs of those most affected, including waste workers, waste pickers, Indigenous Peoples, and other frontline communities, by ensuring a fair and just transition. This means creating opportunities that are environmentally, socially, and economically fair while involving these communities in planning and implementing treaty measures. The treaty should include legally binding commitments and provide accessible financial mechanisms to support these efforts.
To truly protect the people and the planet, businesses and governments must commit to bold action, ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a plastic-free future. They must champion a strong and inclusive Global Plastics Treaty that will not just cut plastic production but also protect impacted and vulnerable communities.
Urge world leaders and the Philippine government to support a strong Global Plastics Treaty. Protect the people and the planet. Sign the petition and add your voice: act.gp/plasticstreatynow
As Aloja reminds us, solutions are already within reach: “Kung nagawa natin noon, pwede pa rin natin gawin ngayon.”
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