MANILA, Philippines — Environmental protection groups reiterated on Thursday their call for the enforcement of national policies against plastic pollution, as the world marks “Month of the Ocean” this May. Meanwhile, Sonia Mendoza, Chairman of the Mother Earth Foundation, cited the need for a toxics-in-packaging disclosure law that will control the presence of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and other chemicals of concern in packaging materials. “The country’s exposure to continued waste imports is concerning,” read a report titled “Waste Trade in the Philippines” co-published by Greenpeace and the EcoWaste Coalition and released last March. ADVERTISEMENTThe report cited the unlawful importation of tons of contaminated plastic waste from Canada and South Korea, which were falsely declared as materials for recycling, as glaring examples. RELATED STORIESDID YOU KNOW: May is ‘Month of the Ocean’Ban on single-use plastics in gov’t approvedDuterte mulling ban on plastic useDENR order banning single-use plastics out soon – Cimatu/MUFRead NextEDITORS' PICKMOST READ

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 07, 2020 02:58 UTC