ABSTRACT
This mixed-method study examined the market vendors' perceptions of the No Plastic Policy, their adaptation strategies, and the policy’s impact on daily operations in relation to the implementation of the said policy by the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Dingle, Iloilo. It explored the policy’s rationale, regulatory framework, and environmental effects, focusing on how vendors perceive and adjust to the policy through material substitutions, operational changes, and customer engagement. The study also assessed the policy’s effects on costs, sales, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Challenges and benefits of compliance were identified, and recommendations for improving the policy were provided. Data were collected from 93 respondents using a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings suggest that the policy’s success relies on both enforcement and shifting public attitudes toward plastic reduction for environmental and health benefits.
Keywords: No Plastic Policy, Perceptions, Adaptation Strategies, Impact on Daily Operations
INTRODUCTION
Plastic pollution has become a global environmental crisis, particularly driven by the excessive use of single-use plastics. Markets, which are central to local economies, especially in developing countries, are among the largest contributors to plastic waste due to their high consumption of plastic bags and packaging (United Nations Environment Programme, 2021). According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 80% of plastic waste in the environment is attributed to mismanaged plastic waste in markets and commercial areas which not only clogs waterways and exacerbates flooding but also significantly harms marine ecosystems (WWF,2020).
In response to the growing plastic pollution problem, various local governments have enacted policies aimed at curbing the use of plastic, particularly in public markets to phase out single-use plastics like bags and straws, encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives in public markets, which are major contributors to plastic waste. This initiative aligns with global efforts, including the United Nations' 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to mitigate waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, reuse, and achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste (Kantai, 2020).
The municipality of Dingle in the Province of Iloilo, like many other small towns in the Philippines, is grappling with a serious waste management issue, particularly with the overwhelming amount of plastic waste. An average of 10,105 kilograms of garbage is collected per week, with approximately 290.34 kilograms of plastic which is not only harmful to the environment but also contributes significantly to local flooding, blocking drainage systems and waterways (Silarde, 2016, as cited in Perez & Garcia, 2023). The problem escalated when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a closure order for Dingle’s local dumpsite, leaving the town with no immediate waste disposal facility. Consequently, at present, Dingle must transport its waste to Passi City dumping site facility, a situation that has further strained the municipality’s resources (DENR, 2020).
In light of this growing challenge, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dingle introduced a No Plastic Policy which aimed at eliminating single-use plastics. This initiative is aligned with the broader national efforts to reduce plastic consumption and mitigate environmental damage, as plastic pollution has been a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly in coastal and rural areas (Espinosa et al., 2022). The LGU passed Ordinance No. 2012-009, known as the Environmental Code of the Municipality of Dingle. One of the provisions of the code, under the Solid Waste Management section is the No Plastic Policy, which was implemented in 2021. The relevant enactment of this ordinance is to discourage the use of plastic bags for carrying items purchased from stores. This means that customers are required to bring their own carrier or eco-friendly bags whenever they go to the market. Thus, all business establishments are required to pack dry and wet goods in biodegradable materials such as recycled products, carton boxes, and paper bags. The municipality envisions becoming an ecologically and economically sustainable waste management LGU by enhancing the effectiveness of the No Plastic Policy through the necessary control and mitigation of the negative environmental impacts attributed to solid waste.
Being an employee of the municipality of Dingle, the researcher felt the need to assess the impact of the No Plastic Policy on the most affected sector within the municipality, the market vendors. The findings of the study generated appropriate feedback for LGU Dingle, Iloilo.
see PDF attachment for more information