According to a report by the Ocean Conservancy in 2015, the Philippines is the third largest contributor of plastic waste that pollute the ocean. The 2019 GAIA report showed that Filipinos use more than 163 million plastic sachets, 48 million shopping bags, and 45 million “labo” bags daily. That amounts to nearly 60 billion sachets, more than 17 billion shopping bags, and 16.5 billion “labo” bags per year. That’s a really huge amount!

The plastic problem in the Philippines is very alarming. It poses serious threats to marine life, as well as human health. Corporations are the main culprits—they are the ones handling the manufacture of single-use plastics. Environmentalists are now calling for corporations to produce more sustainable items, and to use more sustainable materials in manufacturing. While we wait for their big switch, we, individuals, can contribute in our own little way to lessen the amount of plastic waste that goes in our oceans.

The Plastic Solution is a movement in the Philippines which aims to minimize non-biodegradable wastes through making of ecobricks. Ecobricks are plastic bottles stuffed with non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics. When filled to the brim, they can be donated and used as alternative fillers to make furniture, walls, and buildings.

Sounds interesting, right? Come jump in on the movement! Making an ecobrick is easy. First, gather your non-biodegradable waste. Make sure that they are clean and dry. Then, prepare your plastic bottle—this should be clean and dry also. You can then stuff your waste inside the bottle by twisting the waste. You can also cut the plastic so that stuffing it in is easier. Make sure that the waste inside the bottle is tightly compressed—use a stick to push down and compress the waste. Fill the bottle to the brim, then squeeze the bottle. If it folds and deforms, stuff more waste in. If it’s unsquishable, then you’re all good! You have now made an ecobrick!

Not sure if the ecobrick you did is right? Check out the guidelines here.
Ok, I have finished making an ecobrick—what now?

Donate! There are communities that are in need of ecobricks. Here is a list of ecobrick drop-off areas compiled by the organization Ecobricks Philippines.

What are you waiting for? Join the movement now!

Visit Ecobricks Philippines’ Facebook page for more information about the movement.