The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Western Visayas is calling for stronger local ordinances and dedicated disposal systems for electronic waste after volunteers collected 188 discarded e-cigarettes during this year’s International Coastal Cleanup.

The cleanup on Sept. 19 yielded 110 e-cigarettes in coastal barangays in Capiz, 30 in Iloilo, and 26 in Guimaras, the DENR-Western Visayas said Wednesday.

The agency said the find highlights the need for proper disposal of e-cigarettes and other electronic waste.

“We must be mindful of the waste we generate, as improper disposal can pose a serious risk to our oceans,” DENR-Western Visayas officer-in-charge Regional Executive Director Ramar Niel Pascua said in a statement.

“The fight against marine pollution continues to evolve, and we need stronger local ordinances and dedicated systems for the proper disposal of electronic waste,” he said.

The DENR said environmental advocates have warned that discarded e-cigarettes pose multiple hazards to marine ecosystems because they contain single-use plastics, heavy metals, lithium-ion batteries, nicotine salts, and residual e-liquid.

The agency said the waste can be toxic to fish, sea turtles, and other marine life.

Pascua also urged e-cigarette users to take responsibility for proper disposal.

“By keeping our oceans healthy, we help ensure that they can continue to sustain and nourish our communities,” he said.

More than 5,000 participants joined the coastal cleanup across Western Visayas, collecting 11,322.585 kg. of waste, equivalent to 1,401 sacks, according to the DENR.

Plastic beverage bottles were the most common item collected, with 13,274 pieces. Food wrappers ranked second at 10,211 pieces, followed by cigarette butts at 9,957.

Oton, Iloilo, accounted for 3,024 of the bottles collected, followed by Guimaras with 2,867 and Capiz with 2,850.

The largest number of food wrappers was recorded in Barangay Sua in San Dionisio, Iloilo, with 3,300 pieces. Meanwhile, 3,583 cigarette butts were collected at Lambingan Beach and Jetty Port in Pook, Kalibo, Aklan; 3,038 in Barangay Poblacion, Culasi, Antique; and 2,350 in coastal communities in Roxas City and Pilar, Capiz. (PNA)