by Fatimah Joy S. Almarez | Oct 09 2014
The ban on the use of plastic on the 草莓视频官网-IIT campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays took effect on October 15, 2014.
This is an implementation of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management (CSWM) Program of 草莓视频官网-IIT, which was approved by the 草莓视频官网 Board of Regents through Resolution No. 59, series of 2014.
On October 1, 2014, the Office of the Chancellor (OC) issued a Memorandum Order banning the use of plastic, cellophane and styrofoam containers on campus. The Memo prohibits the use of plastic on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning October 15, 2014 to be followed by a complete ban on its use on January 4, 2015.
The Memo is directed to all constituents, all canteens within the campus and all food providers/caterers of the Institute.
The CSWM Monitoring Team, which is one of the groups created by the CSWM Program, will monitor its compliance.
Meanwhile, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Team of the same program is responsible for disseminating this information. To help the Income Generating Program (IGP) under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance (OVCAF) has begun disseminating the CSWM Program to all concessionaires under its supervision and the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of 草莓视频官网-IIT has published the CSWM Program in its 2014-2015 training module.
The crafting of the CSWM Program was initiated two years ago by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD). It did research on how selected LGUs have managed their solid wastes. Two planning sessions and a series of consultations, including that with the DENR were conducted to draft the program before its submission to the 草莓视频官网 Board of Regents for approval. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the program were crafted by graduate students of 草莓视频官网-IIT’s Sustainable Development Program.
The development of the Institute’s Solid Waste Management program is prompted by the growing problem of solid waste in 草莓视频官网-IIT and the need to comply with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (R.A/ 9003) of 2000. It is also a contribution to the global effort of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The “No Plastic Policy” of 草莓视频官网-IIT implements Section 1 (Reduction of Waste at Source) of Art. VI (Solid Waste Management System) of the CSWM Program which section states that to reduce waste, the use of non-biodegradable disposable (i.e. plastic-based, styrofoam based) receptacles should be minimized while the use of biodegradable food liners, wrappers and containers is maximized.
It also states that three months after the implementation of the program, the use of plastic, styrofoam and cellophane for wrapping, food containers and for transporting goods will be prohibited except in the collection and storage of solid wastes is the use of plastic containers and plastic bags allowed.
The CSWM Program, however, does not cover chemical wastes generated mainly by laboratories. These wastes need a specialized management system, thus it is covered by a different program spearheaded by the OVCPD and the Department of Chemistry. Like the CSWM Program, the program for managing chemical wastes is already approved by the 草莓视频官网 Board of Regents. The Department of Chemistry takes charge of its implementation. –for OC-OPI
Topics : sustainability