Alexei Volkov
In recent years, the Philippines has been tagged as a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis, with Filipinos using around 212 million sachets and shopping bags daily. Negros Occidental, a province in the Philippines, has been taking steps to address this issue. In 2019, Bulata National High School in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental, opened a plastic-free canteen to promote a culture of reducing plastic waste among its students and teachers. The school's initiative was inspired by the Wala Usik (meaning zero waste or nothing is wasted) movement, which aims to reduce single-use plastic. The school's canteen features walls painted with colourful marine life and uses biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials such as mugs made from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, and plates made from banana leaves. In addition to schools, farming communities in Negros Occidental, such as Binalbagan, have also implemented plastic recycling initiatives, such as the Blastik Bottle Project, to reduce plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of School | Bulata National High School |
| Location | Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
| Initiative Taken | Plastic-free canteen |
| Name of Canteen | Wala Usik (Zero Waste or Nothing is Wasted) |
| Materials Used | Biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials like bamboo, coconut shells, and banana leaves |
| Inspiration | Wala Usik Sari-Sari Store, an initiative of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) |
| Other Initiatives | 8 Wala Usik Sari-Sari stores in Negros Island as partners of PRRCFI |
| Funding | United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Municipal Waste Recycling Program |
| Wall Painting Theme | More Fish, Not Plastic |
| Artist | Volunteers from the Association of Negros Artists |
| Other Initiatives in Negros Occidental | Blastik Bottle Project, a plastic bottle collection and recycling initiative in Binalbagan |
| Plastic Recycling Facility | Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Program in La Castellana |
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What You'll Learn
Bulata National High School's plastic-free canteen
In Negros Occidental, the Philippines, Bulata National High School (BNHS) in Cauayan town has opened a plastic-free canteen to promote a plastic-free culture among its students and teachers. The school's plastic-free canteen opened on the first day of classes, 3 June 2019, and uses biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials for serving meals and snacks to its more than 400 students and faculty members.
The idea for the canteen was inspired by the 'Wala Usik' (meaning 'zero waste' or 'nothing is wasted' in the local Hiligaynon language) Sari-Sari Store, an initiative of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) through its Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic program or SWEEP. After attending the Danjugan Island’s Marine and Wildlife Camp, BNHS principal Eiggy Duller Yap recognised the threat posed by plastic pollution to natural resources and the environment and decided to take action.
The Wala Usik canteen uses mugs made from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, and plates made from banana leaves. It also features walls painted with colourful marine life by volunteers from the Association of Negros Artists, with the theme "More Fish, Not Plastic". The paintings pay homage to the rich biodiversity of Cauayan waters and the Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Sanctuaries, also part of Barangay Bulata.
The school canteen aims to promote healthy eating from fresh and local produce, while also discouraging processed food packaged in single-use plastic. Yap hopes that their creations could become a livelihood endeavour for students in the future. The school is currently seeking additional support from stakeholders to make the canteen fully operational, including more chairs, tables, and equipment.
In addition to the efforts of Bulata National High School, there are other initiatives in Negros Occidental to reduce plastic waste. For example, there is a farming community in Binalbagan that has started the 'Blastik' or the Balik Plastic Bottle Project, which collects and recycles plastic bottles to reduce plastic waste. Furthermore, the provincial government has donated a plastic recycling machine to La Castellana and provided funding for the construction of a plastic recycling housing facility, as part of the Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Program.
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Wala Usik stores
In Negros Occidental, the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) has been working to promote a plastic-free culture. As part of this initiative, eight "Wala Usik" sari-sari stores have been operating on Negros Island in partnership with PRRCFI. "Wala Usik" is a Hiligaynon phrase that means "zero waste" or "nothing is wasted". These stores are part of PRRCFI's Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic (Sweep) program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development's Municipal Waste Recycling Program.
The goal of the Wala Usik stores is to reduce single-use plastic from fast-moving consumer goods. The movement is also about social enterprise, where nothing is wasted and there is value in any byproduct. One example of a Wala Usik store is the one located in Barangay Bulata, which is one of the eight stores operating on Negros Island.
The concept of Wala Usik inspired Bulata National High School in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, to adopt a plastic-free culture in their school canteen. The school uses biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials, such as mugs made from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, and plates made from banana leaves. The canteen also features walls painted with colourful marine life, with the theme "More Fish, Not Plastic", done by volunteers from the Association of Negros Artists.
The school's principal, Eiggy Duller Yap, was inspired to take action after attending the Marine and Wildlife Camp organised by PRRCFI on Danjugan Island in Cauayan. Yap recognised the threat posed by plastic pollution to natural resources and the environment and encouraged parents to adopt plastic-free practices in their homes. The school's initiative to reduce single-use plastic waste is aligned with PRRCFI's goal to promote awareness of biodiversity protection through ecotourism.
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Plastic bottle recycling in Binalbagan
Plastic bottle recycling is being implemented in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, through the Balik Plastic Bottle Project, also known as the "Blastik" Project. This initiative is led by PeacePond, a farmers' association directed by Jesus Antonio Orbida and Checcs Osmeña-Orbida. The project aims to achieve zero waste by adopting a full-circle approach, ensuring that every part of a plastic bottle, from the cap to the body, is recycled and given new life.
The "Blastik" Project is a waste collection and recycling initiative that educates communities about the importance of effective plastic waste management and recycling systems. It empowers individuals by teaching them that their plastic waste can be a valuable resource and a source of income. As part of the project, farmer-members, or "eco-rangers," collect plastic PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles using low-carbon e-bikes. Residents can choose to sell their bottles for cash or exchange them for eco-friendly bags.
The collected bottles are weighed, washed, dried, and separated from their caps and labels. They are then temporarily stored in a materials recovery facility (MRF) located at PeacePond's farm and fish production area in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan. Here, low-cost AIDFI machines transform the bottles into valuable products. The bottles are shredded into flakes that can be used for various purposes, such as pavers for footpaths and aggregates in floors. Even the labels are handcrafted into unique items.
Through the "Blastik" Project, the farming community in Binalbagan is taking significant steps toward reducing plastic waste. This initiative not only promotes environmental sustainability but also encourages economic viability by demonstrating the value of plastic bottle recycling. By partnering with organisations like the Coca-Cola Foundation and AID Foundation, Inc., the project gains the support and resources necessary to make a tangible impact. The "Blastik" Project serves as a shining example of how communities can come together to address the pressing issue of plastic waste and work towards a cleaner, healthier Philippines.
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Plastic recycling housing facility in La Castellana
In the Philippines, the province of Negros Occidental is known for its sugar production and aspirations to become the Organic Food Bowl of Asia. Negros Occidental is also grappling with the country's overwhelming reliance on single-use plastics, which has made the Philippines a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis.
In this context, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has committed to tackling plastic waste and promoting a plastic-free culture. One notable initiative is the implementation of the Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Program, which includes the construction of a plastic recycling housing facility in La Castellana.
The Governor of Negros Occidental, Bong Lacson, provided funding for this project by presenting a check worth 1 million pesos to La Castellana's Mayor, Rhumylla Nicor-Mangilimutan. This funding will facilitate the construction of the plastic recycling housing facility and the acquisition of a plastic recycling machine.
The machine has a unique capacity to convert plastic materials into fuel, presenting an innovative approach to plastic waste management. This initiative by the local government unit (LGU) of La Castellana demonstrates a proactive stance in addressing the plastic waste problem and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
While the details about the specific technologies and processes to be employed at the La Castellana facility are not readily available, other recycling initiatives in the Philippines offer some insights. For example, Envirotech Recycling Inc., based in Davao City, collects single-use plastics from communities and companies and transforms them into useful items like school chairs. Their CEO, Winchester Lemen, emphasizes the dual purpose of reducing plastic waste and creating livelihood programs. Envirotech's recycling endeavors, along with similar initiatives, provide a glimmer of hope in the complex journey towards sustainability.
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$16.89
Negros Artists' marine life murals
In Negros Occidental, the Bulata National High School in Cauayan town has a unique "Wala Usik" (No Waste) canteen. The canteen promotes a plastic-free culture by using biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials. For instance, students and teachers use mugs made from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, and plates made from banana leaves. The canteen also features walls painted with colourful marine life, with the theme "More Fish, Not Plastic". This mural was created by volunteers from the Association of Negros Artists (Ana). It pays homage to the rich biodiversity of Cauayan waters and the Danjugan Island marine reserve and sanctuaries in Barangay Bulata.
The Association of Negros Artists (ANA) is a group of artists who use their talents to advocate for environmental protection. One of their projects is the "Love Inspired: The Philippines, a Canvas of Biodiversity" mural, which was unveiled in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental province, in August 2024. This mural features endangered species native to the region and showcases the rich biodiversity of the area. The artists who worked on this project, Marjo Banagua, Michael Jude Millares, and Dyna Quilnet, expressed their honour in being able to showcase the region's biodiversity through their art.
The "More Fish, Not Plastic" mural at Bulata National High School is not the only artwork created by ANA to raise awareness about marine life and environmental issues. The group has also been involved in other projects that highlight the importance of conservation and the negative impact of plastic waste. ANA's murals are a powerful way to draw attention to these critical issues and inspire action within the community.
Additionally, ANA's murals are part of a broader movement of artists using their craft to advocate for environmental protection. For example, the renowned artist Wyland has dedicated his career to creating ocean-themed art and raising awareness about marine life and conservation. Inspired by his early experiences with Greenpeace and Jacques Cousteau's Undersea World, Wyland has created over 100 ocean murals worldwide, including his famous Whaling Wall series. Through his non-profit Wyland Foundation, he continues to inspire people to take action for clean water and a healthy planet.
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Frequently asked questions
Bulata National High School in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental. The school's canteen features walls painted with colourful marine life with the theme "More Fish, Not Plastic".
Teachers and students at Bulata National High School use biodegradable, indigenous, and reusable materials. For example, mugs made from bamboo, bowls from coconut shells, and plates from banana leaves.
The school's principal, Eiggy Duller Yap, was inspired to take action after attending the Marine and Wildlife Camp on Danjugan Island, organised by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI).
The school's plastic-free canteen has inspired eight Wala Usik sari-sari stores to operate on Negros Island as partners of PRRCFI, through its Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic (Sweep) program. The school's initiative has also encouraged parents to adopt plastic-free practices in their homes.
