The Quezon City government is setting a benchmark on environmental sustainability as it pushes culture shift among its employees and the public, and imposes a ban on disposables and single-use plastic (SUPs) bags, packaging, and cutlery at the city hall and government-run facilities.

In a press release on Tuesday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said that under Executive Order No. 3, Series of 2025, the use of plastic bags and packaging, styrofoam (polystyrene materials), disposable dishware such as paper plates, plastic utensils, PET bottles, plastic and paper cups will no longer be allowed inside Quezon City Hall buildings and other city-owned facilities starting April 21, 2025.

Thus, Belmonte said, government employees are now required to bring their own eco-bags, reusable containers, and utensils when buying food or drinks.

“Non-biodegradable and single-use plastics take thousands of years to break down, polluting our land and waterways in the process. Studies now show that microplastics have made their way into our food, drinking water, and even our soil —posing serious health risks to our communities,” Belmonte said.

She added plastic waste clogs drainage systems and contributes to severe flooding, as seen and experienced during typhoons.

“Plastic pollution is a growing crisis that endangers our health, our economy, and especially the well-being of our most vulnerable communities. Plastic even chokes our marine animals. This is precisely why the city government is pioneering policies and long-term solutions to reduce plastic use and advance sustainability,” she added.

Belmonte said the order does not just ban plastics, but aims to change public behavior, and make sustainability become second nature for those working in the public service.

For city hall clients and visitors, she said food from vendors may be served in disposable take-out containers, including utensils upon request, however, these items must not be brought inside the building.

She also clarified that food deliveries will still be allowed inside city government buildings provided that the recipient offices are required to recover the food containers and trade them at the Trash to Cashback booth.

Deliveries that use plastic packaging, on the other hand, will not be permitted inside city government buildings.

To ensure effective and comprehensive transition, the city’s Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) and the General Services Department (GSD) conducted orientation sessions with employees and vendors and discussed the policy’s provisions.

The orientation sessions also aimed to address concerns and suggestions of affected concessionaires and stakeholders, promoting understanding and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the city government said the EO also reinforces the provisions of the city’s Green Public Procurement Ordinance (SP-3107, S-2021), which sets the guidelines for eliminating single-use plastics and disposable materials in all city-led activities, promoting the use of reusable and recyclable alternatives.

Ambulant vendors who fail to comply with the EO within city government premises will face penalties, while employees and officials found violating the rules will be issued formal reprimands or memoranda.

“We hope that this policy inspires other government units and private institutions to champion circular economy and sustainability, and to reduce —or avoid—unnecessary plastic waste,” Belmonte said. (PNA)