EcoWaste Coalition criticizes Feast of Jesus Nazareno littering

EcoWaste Coalition criticized excessive littering during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno celebrations, noting an 'unsightly trail of trash' stretching 5.8 km.

Ochie Tolentino, a zero waste campaigner, expressed disappointment over the environmental offense during Zero Waste Month and emphasized that the ban on littering was not enforced despite its prohibition under national and local laws.

Volunteers and government workers were exhausted from cleaning up garbage such as improvised sleeping materials, food waste, urine-filled bottles, soiled diapers, and disposable plastics left in Quiapo streets and Rizal Park.

The group highlighted that cigarette butts and vapes were found despite the park's 'no smoking, no vaping' policy and stressed that littering can have long-lasting negative impacts on soil, air, and water quality.

EcoWaste Coalition earlier called for a cleaner procession route during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno to reduce single-use plastics and promote an ecological Traslacion.